US11310997B2 - Treadmill having attachment module - Google Patents

Abstract

A treadmill may include two separate left and right belts rotating around two sets of rollers, four legs having an adjustable height via air suspension to customize an inclination of the treadmill, a thermoelectric assembly, a fragrance assembly having a rotating fragrance cartridge to emit various smells toward a user of the treadmill, a display on which exercise programs are played, and an attachment module having a dispensing tray on which treats are dispensed. A handle of the treadmill may have a sensor to sense a height and front-rear position, and a belt divider provided between the left and right belts may have position or proximity sensors to sense a left-right position. An inclination of the treadmill may be automatically adjusted according to positions detected by the sensors, and the fragrance assembly, attachment module, and inclination may be automatically operated in accordance with an exercise program played on the display.

Description

BACKGROUND1. Field

A treadmill for animals is disclosed herein.

2. Background

In recent years, the population of those raising a pet has increased in view of attachment and interest pets. Like most animals, exercise is important for a pet's physical and mental health. Ideally, pets should exercise four times or more daily. However, owners are often busy and unable to exercise their pets frequently. In addition, inclement weather may interfere with outdoor exercise even when an owner is home. Since pets are often left alone and since communication with their human owners is difficult, the demand for pet equipment which may allow a pet to use without an owner's help has increased.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,347,603, 4,332,217, 4,205,628, 4,095,561, 5,081,991, 4,361,115, 7,736,273, 6,609,478, 6,837,186, 6,722,316, 6,058,888, 5,775,263, 5,277,150, 5,002,015, and 4,981,136, and U.S. Publication Nos. 2013/0092096, 2012/0024237, and 2010/0175634 disclose treadmills for animals (hereinafter “related art.”) However, such pet treadmills have various disadvantages, which the present disclosure solves. For example, the treadmills of the related art do not have many devices to stimulate a pet while a pet exercises autonomously on the treadmill. In addition, the treadmills of the related art are not easily customizable, adjustable, or portable.

The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a front of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a view of a treadmill with a handle folded in a storage state showing an attachment module;

FIG. 5B is a view of a treadmill with the attachment module removed and stored in an upright position with a handle folded in a storage state;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7A is a side view of a treadmill according to an embodiment showing an upper frame of the base removed from the lower frame;

FIG. 7B shows a side view of an upper frame showing right roller frames according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7C shows a side view of an upper frame showing left roller frames according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cut side view of a treadmill showing an inside of the base;

FIG. 9 is perspective side view of the treadmill ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10A is a top view of the treadmill ofFIG. 8 without a display of the attachment module;

FIG. 10B is a top view of the belts removed from the rollers according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an optional roller frame of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the roller frame ofFIG. 11 when a length is adjusted to be shortened;

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the roller frame ofFIG. 11 when a length is adjusted to be lengthened;

FIG. 14 is an exploded side view of a handle of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the handle ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 16 is an exploded side view of a debris remover and lower frame of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the debris remover and lower frame ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the debris remover ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a perspective back view of a back height adjuster according to an embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective front view of the back height adjuster and UV light ofFIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a side of a front roller cover and UV light according to an embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of a thermoelectric cooler and deodorizer according to an embodiment;

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the thermoelectric cooler ofFIG. 22 and an assembled deodorizer ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the blower and deodorizer ofFIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is an exploded side view of a fragrance assembly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective of the fragrance assembly ofFIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a treadmill according to an embodiment showing a detached attachment module;

FIG. 28A shows a side exploded view of the attachment assembly ofFIG. 27;

FIG. 28B andFIG. 28C shows perspective front views of possible arrangements of the attachment assembly;

FIG. 29 shows a front view of an attachment module according to an embodiment;

FIG. 30 shows a perspective front view of the attachment module ofFIG. 29;

FIG. 31 shows a process where a video on the display plays according to a speed of the treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 32 shows a process of luring a pet to a treadmill for autonomous exercise according to an embodiment;

FIG. 33 shows a process of adjusting a speed of the treadmill based on a position of the pet on the treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 34 shows a process of adjusting an inclination of the treadmill based on a position of the pet on the treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 35 shows a process of feeding a pet on the treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a block diagram of a main controller provided in a control module; and

FIGS. 37A and 37B show an alternative embodiment of height adjustment process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, a treadmill1 according to an embodiment may include a base100 including rotating left andright belts110 and120 on which an animal or a pet (e.g., dog) may exercise (e.g., run, walk, or skip). The left andright belts110 and120 may rotate at different speeds to accommodate different stride lengths on left and right sides of a pet. The speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be configured to correspond to a linear speed of a typical pet walking alongside a human. As described in this specification, “left” and “right” may mean with respect from a view from a rear of the treadmill1 (i.e., from a perspective while using the treadmill1).

Anattachment module200 provided at a front of the treadmill1 may play videos on aremovable display210 and dispense treats from aremovable container230 onto aremovable dispensing tray220. Treats may be dispensed onto the dispensingtray220 from thecontainer230 to lure a pet to the treadmill1, stimulate a pet during exercise, and reward a pet after exercise. Thedisplay210 may play videos or sounds to both lure a pet to the treadmill1 and stimulate a pet on the treadmill1 in accordance with a pre-set exercise program.

Theattachment module200 may be easily removable or customizable, and the treadmill1 may further include ahandle300 that folds down to surround thebase100 for easy storage and portability when theattachment module200 is removed. When thehandle300 is not folded and is erected above the left andright belts110 and120, a user may lift the treadmill1 by thehandle300 to reposition or move the treadmill1. Thehandle300 may include a handle sensor331 (e.g., image sensor or camera) that detects a height of the pet, and a height of thehandle300 may be automatically adjusted based on the sensed height of the pet by thehandle sensor331. Thehandle sensor331 may also sense a position of the pet in a frontward and backward direction, and speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be adjusted to maintain a safe position of the pet on the treadmill1. The speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may also be controlled according to a pre-set exercise program and may correspond to images on thedisplay210. When the left andright belts110 and120 are moving at slightly different speeds, the speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be increased or decreased by a same amount in response to a position of the pet sensed by thehandle sensor331.

Adivider130 may be provided between the left andright belts110 and120 and may be removed during storage. Thedivider130 may include left andright proximity sensors132 and133 to sense a position of the pet in a left-right direction. The treadmill1 may includeadjustable legs411a,412a,421a, and422athat are each independently controlled by a height adjustment assembly having back andfront height adjusters410 and420 (FIG. 6). Based on a position detected by the left andright proximity sensors132 and133, heights of thelegs411a,412a,421a, and422amay be raised or lowered to adjust an inclination of the treadmill1 at four separate corners. An inclination of the treadmill1 may also be adjusted as part of a pre-set exercise program and correspond to images on thedisplay210.

The base100 may include an upper frame or cover140 coupled to a lower frame orcover150. Sides of the base100 may have a relatively low height as compared to a pet on the treadmill1 so as to reduce anxiety. An upper surface of theupper frame140 may have a height that is similar to or only a few inches above a height of upper surface of the first andsecond belts110 and120. The height of theupper frame140 may increase from the rear of the base100 to the front of thebase100. The left andright belts110 and120 may be exposed through theupper frame140. Theupper frame140 may includeopenings147 in which vents orvanes146 may be provided. Cool or hot air may flow through thevents146 to the pet on the left andright belts110 and120, and thevents146 may be automatically opened and closed to control a flow of air through thevents146. Scented air and/or deodorizing ions may also be blown through thevents146 to the air around the pet.

Discharge holes154 may be provided in thelower frame150 of the base100 to exhaust air from a blower610 (FIG. 8) inside the treadmill1. For example, during a cooling operation, hot air may be discharged through the discharge holes154, while cool air may be blown by theblower610 through thevents146. During a heating operation, cool air may be discharged through the discharge holes154, while hot or warm air may be blown by theblower610 through thevents146. A position of theblower610 may be configured to blow air straight through thevents146 or to blow air through thevents146 at a predetermined angle.

Referring toFIGS. 6-10B, theblower610 may be a radiallybladed fan610, e.g., tangential or cross-flow fan, to blow warm, cold, and/or scented air through thevents146 to the pet. The radially bladedfan610 may also disperse ions emitted or generated by adeodorizer620 through thevents146 to break apart pollutants and deodorize the air surrounding the treadmill1. The left andright belts110 and120 may be further cleaned by first and second sterilizinglights191 and192 provided at the back and front ends of the treadmill1 (FIGS. 21-22), respectively, that each emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

The treadmill1 may include afragrance assembly500 that emits various scents, and the radially bladedfan610 may disperse scent through thevents146 to the pet. Scents may be emitted to both lure a pet to the treadmill1 and stimulate a pet on the treadmill1 in accordance with a pre-set exercise program and/or images played on thedisplay210.

The pet may be both lured to and stimulated on the treadmill1 via a combination of treats dispensed on the dispensingtray220, images and sounds played on thedisplay210, and scents emitted by thefragrance assembly500 through thevents146. As an example, a treat may be dispensed onto the dispensingtray220 and pre-recorded sounds may be emitted by thedisplay210 to lure the pet onto the treadmill1. Once it is determined that the pet is on the treadmill1, the left andright belts110 and120 may rotate. An exercise program, e.g., a forest trail, may play on thedisplay210, and thefragrance assembly500 may emit a forest or phytoncide scent. Speeds and inclinations of the left andright belts110 and120 may be adjusted in accordance with the exercise program played on thedisplay210 and also adjusted based on a position of the pet on the treadmill. Periodically, a treat may be dispensed onto the dispensingtray220 to reward the pet for its exercise.

Adebris remover180 may be provided under the base100 to catch pet fur or other debris on the left andright belts110 and120. Thedebris remover180 may be covered by aremovable bottom cover151. Thebottom cover151 may be removed so that a user may periodically remove thedebris remover180 to discard caught debris. The treadmill1 may therefore be kept clean by thedebris remover180 on bottom, thedeodorizer620 behind thevents146, and the first and second sterilizinglights191 and192 (FIGS. 21 and 22) facing the left andright belts110 and120 at the back and front ends of the treadmill1.

Referring toFIGS. 6-10 in more detail, thelower frame150 of the base100 may be provided under the left andright belts110 and120. Anupper frame140 may be coupled to thelower frame150, and may have an upper opening through which the left andright belts110 and120 are exposed. Theupper frame140 may have a front frame or cover141 provided at the front end of the base100 to cover thefragrance assembly500 and theblower610 described later with reference toFIGS. 23-27. Theupper frame140 may further include a back frame or cover144 provided at the back end of thebase100, and a pair of side walls or side frames145 extending between the front andback frames141 and144. The left andright belts110 and120 may be exposed between the side frames145 and the front andback frames141 and144.

The upper andlower frames140 and150 may be made of a plastic so that the treadmill1 is lightweight, portable, and easy to manufacture. The side frames145 may be bonded or welded to the front andback frames144 and141 to form theupper frame140. Theupper frame140 may be pressed-fit or snap-fitted into thelower frame150. Alternatively, theupper frame140 may be secured to thelower frame150 via magnetic coupling, adhesion, locking or latching, etc. Thebase100 and left andright belts110 and120 may be configured to support a small to medium sized dog (e.g., 10 kg or 20 lbs or less), but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto.

Theleft belt110 may be a closed loop that rotates around left back andfront rollers111 and112, and theright belt120 may be a closed loop that rotates around right back andfront rollers121 and122. Therollers111,112,121, and122 may be configured to grip a bottom surface of thebelt belts110 and120 by a friction force or in a gear teeth configuration. Thebelts110 and120 may serve as the primary surfaces on which a pet exercises.

Theback rollers111 and121 may be provided at a back end of the treadmill1, and thefront rollers112 and122 may be provided at a front end of the treadmill1. Each of therollers111,112,121, and122 may have a cylindrical or pipe shape having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to longitudinal directions of the treadmill1 and thebelts110 and120.

Thefront rollers112 and122 may rotate around and be supported by afront shaft125 supporting thefront rollers112 and122, and theback rollers111 and121 may rotate around and be supported by aback shaft115. Thefront shaft125 may extend between and couple to a front pair of roller frames142b, and theback shaft115 may extend between and couple to a back pair of roller frames142a. The front and back roller frames142band142amay extend downward from the side frames145.

The front andback shafts125 and115 may remain fixed, while theleft rollers111 and112 may rotate at a different speed than theright rollers121 and122. The front left andright rollers112 and122 may not be coupled to each other to facilitate independent rotation and separate left and right speeds, and the back left andright rollers111 and121 may similarly not be coupled to each other to facilitate independent rotation and separate left and right speeds.

Aright motor123 may rotate the frontright belt122 around thefront shaft125 and aleft motor113 may rotate the back leftbelt111 around theback shaft115. The front andback shafts125 and115 may remain fixed and may not rotate, and themotors123 and113 may only rotate therollers122 and111 surrounding the fixed front andback shafts125 and115, respectively.

Many animals, including humans and pets, have unequal leg lengths resulting in unequal stride lengths or gait on left and right legs. Humans and animals may naturally veer to the left or right due to gait. To efficiently and safely exercise a pet with unequal stride lengths, the left andright belts110 and120 may run at different speeds to accommodate the unequal pacing of the pet at left and right sides. Theleft belt110 may rotate at a first speed around back andfront rollers111 and112 provided at back and front ends of thebase100, respectively, and theright belt120 may rotate at a second speed around back andfront rollers121 and122 provided at back and front ends of thebase100, respectively. Textures of the left andright belts110 and120 may also be configured to accommodate a known gait of the pet, as a faster belt may have more traction. For example, if a speed of theleft belt110 is typically adjusted to be faster than a speed of theright belt120 to accommodate gait of the pet, the owner may choose to replace theleft belt110 with a replacementleft belt110 having greater traction or friction to prevent slipping.

Thedivider130 may be provided between the left andright belts110 and120 to cover or hide any space or gap between the left andright belts110 and120 and to prevent a pet from accidentally placing a paw or leg in any gap between the left andright belts110 and120. Thedivider130 may also keep a pet's left leg on theleft belt110 and a right leg on theright belt120. Thedivider130 may prevent the pet from moving too far to the left or right on the treadmill1 or prevent the pet from tripping at higher speeds.

Thedivider130 may be easily detachable from the treadmill1 via, e.g., a magnet connection. A bottom surface of a front end of thedivider130 may have at least one magnet that couples to at least one magnet having an opposite polarity and provided in a center of thefront frame141 of theupper frame140. A bottom surface of a back end of thedivider130 may have at least one magnet that couples to at least one magnet having an opposite polarity and provided in a center of an upper surface of theback frame144 of theupper frame140 of the treadmill1.

A front portion of thedivider130 may be wider than the rest of thedivider130 to provide stability. In addition, the front portion of thedivider130 may include a portion or mount131 in which left andright proximity sensors132 and133 (e.g., laser sensor, radar sensor, or camera) may be provided. Theproximity sensors132 and133 may sense a lateral distance (i.e., to the left or right) a pet may be from thedivider130. A height adjustment of thelegs411a,412a,421a, and422amay be adjusted via the back and leftheight adjusters410 and420 according to positions of the pet sensed by theproximity sensors132 and133. In addition, since the lateral distance may be indicative of gait, speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be adjusted based on the positions of the pet sensed by theproximity sensors132 and133. Details of the back and leftheight adjusters410 and420 and a control process will be described later with reference toFIG. 36.

The left andright belts110 and120 may be easily replaceable with other belts having different textures corresponding to different exercise programs played through thedisplay210. For example, the left andright belts110 and120 may have a grassy (e.g., AstroTurf) and/or dirt texture, and thedisplay210 may show images of a grassy or hilly landscape. As another example, the left andright belts110 and120 may have a gravel, pavement, or concrete texture to correspond to road or sidewalk programs played on thedisplay210, respectively, a rocky or pebble texture to correspond to a mountain program played on thedisplay210, and/or a sandy texture (e.g., a GORE-TEX surface covering or holding sand or a rugged or rough surface imitating sand) to correspond to a beach program played on thedisplay210. The left andright belts110 and120 may also have a ribbed rubber texture or a texture that provides a substantial grip to prevent a pet from slipping. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the left andright belts110 and120 may have varied textures where, for example, certain portions are grassy and other portions are sandy to correspond to a program having varied terrains played on thedisplay210.

Regardless of a texture of the left andright belts110 and120, the left andright belts110 and120 may be made of an elastic material such that a tension is formed when the left andright belts110 and120 extend between thefront rollers112 and122 and theback rollers111 and112, respectively. For the left andright belts110 and120 to be replaceable, the tension of the left andright belts110 and120 may be additionally adjusted via an optional tension adjuster.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7A, theback shaft115 andback motor113 may be coupled between left and right back roller frames142a(142aland142arinFIGS. 7B and 7C) of theupper frame140, and thefront shaft125 and thefront motor motor123 may be coupled between left and right front roller frames142b(142bland142brinFIGS. 7B and 7C). To loosen a tension of the left andright belts110 and120, the front andback shafts125 and115 may be removed from the front and back roller frames142band142a, respectively. The front and back roller frames142band142amay be configured to be stretchable or held under tension for removal of therollers111,112,121, and122 from the front and back roller frames142band142a. As an alternative, the front and back roller frames142band142amay be provided on thelower frame140.

A distance between the front roller frames142bfrom the back roller frames142amay be longer than a length of the closed loop left andright belts110 and120 and may be configured such that, when the front andback shafts125 and115 are coupled to the front and back roller frames142band142a, tensions of the left andright belts110 and120 are at a predetermined tension. The predetermined tension may be strong enough to support a weight (e.g., 8 lbs.) of the pet.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7B, when looking at a side of the upper frame when viewed from the right, the back right roller tab142arand the front right roller tab142brmay be spaced apart by a predetermined distance that is less than a length of the closed loop left andright belts110 and120. As shown by the dotted circle near the rear of theupper frame140, an inner side of the back right roller142armay have a circular groove configured to receive theback shaft115.

As shown by the dotted circle near the front of theupper frame140, the front right roller frame142brmay have a circular groove or recess configured to receive thefront motor123. The circular groove formed in the front right roller frame142brfor thefront motor123 may be larger than the circular groove formed in the back right roller frame142ar.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7C, an orientation of theupper frame140 is shown when viewed from the left. The front left roller frame142bland the back left roller frame142almay be spaced apart by the predetermined distance.

As shown by the dotted circle near the front of theupper frame140, the front left roller frame142blmay have a circular groove or recess configured to receive thefront shaft125. The groove of the front left roller frame142blmay face the groove of the front right roller frame142br(FIG. 7B), which may receive thefront motor123. The groove of the front left roller frame142blmay be smaller than the groove of the front right roller frame142br(FIG. 7B).

As shown by the dotted circle near the rear of theupper frame140, an inner side of the back left roller frame142almay have a circular groove configured to receive theback motor113. The groove of the back left roller frame142almay face the groove of the back right roller frame142ar(FIG. 7B), which may receive theback shaft115. The groove of the back left roller frame142blmay be larger than the groove of the back right roller frame142ar(FIG. 7B) and the groove of the front left roller frame142bl.

As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the size of the grooves on inner sides of the back roller frames142aland142arand the front roller frames142bland142brmay be modified if an arrangement of the front andback motors123 and113 are modified. As an alternative, the back roller frames142aland142arand the front roller frames142bland142brmay extend upward from thelower frame120 instead of downward from theupper frame140.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, referring toFIGS. 11-13, there may be an optional roller frame orhousing160 provided inside of the base100 to rest on thelower frame150. Theroller frame160 may have an adjustable length, and the upper andlower frames140 and150 may have lengths that are longer than a maximum length of theroller frame160.

Theroller frame160 may have afront frame161 and aback frame162 slideably coupled to thefront frame161. Thefront frame161 may house thefront shaft125 on which thefront rollers112 and122 are provided, and theback frame162 may house theback shaft115 on which theback rollers111 and112 are provided. Since the front andback frames161 and162 are slideably connected, a distance between the front andback shafts125 and115 may be adjusted to adjust tensions of the left andright belts110 and120. In such an embodiment, the front and back roller frames142band142amay be modified to attach to (e.g., clip to or lock to) sides of the roller frames160 or in addition to the front andback shafts125 and115 and the front andback motors123 and113. In another embodiment including theroller frame160, the front and back roller frames142band142amay be omitted or serve only to couple theupper frame140 to thelower frame150, and theupper frame140 may have a separate tab or frame to attach to theroller frame160.

Each of the front andback frames161 and162 may be formed of left and right plates or walls. The frontright roller122 may be inserted into an opening provided on an inner right side of thefront frame161, and the frontleft roller112 may be inserted into a recess or groove provided on an inner left side of thefront frame161. Theright motor123 may be provided on an outer right side of thefront frame161 to insert into the opening and couple to the frontright roller122. The backright roller121 may be inserted into a recess or groove provided on an inner right side of theback frame162, and the back leftroller111 may be inserted into an opening provided on an inner left side of theback frame162. Theleft motor113 may be provided on an outer left side of theback frame162 to insert into the opening and couple to the back leftroller111.

Thefront frame161 may include anextension161aextending from an inner end of thefront frame161 and inserted into a hole provided in an inner end of theback frame162. Theback frame162 may similarly include anextension162aextending from the inner end of theback frame162 and inserted into a hole provided in the inner end of theback frame162. Theextension161aof thefront frame161 may, for example, extend from an upper side of the inner end of thefront frame161, and the hole of theback frame162 may be provided in an upper side of the inner end of theback frame162. Theextension162aof theback frame162 may extend from a lower side of the inner end of theback frame162, and the hole of thefront frame161 may be provided in a lower side of the inner end of thefront frame161.

A gear or dial163 may be provided between theextensions161aand162a. Thedial163 may include gear teeth provided on an outer circumferential surface to correspond to gear teeth provided on lower surfaces of theextensions161aand162athat contact thedial163. When thedial163 is turned in a first direction, theextension161amay be pulled forward out of the hole of theback frame162, theextension162amay be pulled backward out of the hole of thefront frame161, and the length of theroller frame160 may be increased. When thedial163 is turned in a second direction opposite of the first direction, theextension161amay be inserted backward into the hole of theback frame162, theextensions162amay be inserted forward into the hole of thefront frame161, and the length of theroller frame160 may be decreased. There may be two sets ofdials163 andextensions161aand162acorresponding to left and right sides of theroller frame160. Thedials163 may be operated automatically via a motor, or may be operated manually. A locking mechanism may be provided in thedial163, theextensions161aand162a, and/or the holes of the front andback frames161 and162 to maintain a length of theroller frame160 after adjustment.

There may be a plurality ofrollers165 and/or166 extending between inner sides of the front andback frames161 and162, and a central pair of left andright rollers167 and168 coupled to thedials163. When there are left andright belts110 and120, there may be a plurality ofleft rollers165 provided between the left front andback rollers112 and111 and a plurality ofright rollers166 provided between the right front andback rollers122 and121. The pairs of left andright rollers165 and166 may be provided on single fixed shafts around which the left andright rollers165 and166 freely rotate.

The central pair of left andright rollers167 and168 may not be coupled to the front orback frame161 or162 and may remain stationary during a length adjustment process of theroller frame160. When the length of theroller frame160 is increased, pairs of left andright rollers165 and166 coupled to the front andback frames161 and162 may move further away from the central pair of left andright rollers167 and168. When the length of theroller frame160 is decreased, pairs of left andright rollers165 and166 coupled to the front andback frames161 and162 may move closer to the central pair of left andright rollers167 and168. The plurality of left andright rollers165 and166 may support a weight of the pet (small, medium, or large pets) using the treadmill1.

Referring toFIGS. 6-7 and 14-15, theupper frame140 may include ahandle mount opening143, and thelower frame150 may include ahandle mount153. Thehandle mount opening143 may be an opening formed in a side surface of the side wall145 (FIG. 7) having a size and shape that corresponds to a size and shape of thehandle mount153, which may extend upward from a sidewall of thelower frame150. Thehandle mount153 may be provided in thehandle mount opening143 when theupper frame140 is coupled to thelower frame150.

Thehandle300 may be coupled (e.g., hinged) to thehandle mount153. Referring toFIG. 2, thehandle300 may include a handle bottom orside310 hinged to thehandle mount153, ahandle top320, and asensor assembly330 having a handle sensor331 (e.g., camera, image sensor, or infrared or laser sensor) coupled to a bottom surface of thehandle top320. A user may lift the treadmill1 by thehandle300 to reposition or move the treadmill1.

Thehandle sensor331 may detect a pet present on the treadmill1. Thehandle sensor331 may provide positional information of the pet to a main controller of a control module640 (FIGS. 22 and 23). Thehandle sensor331 may use a camera to sense both a height of the pet and a forward-backward position on the left andright belts110 and120. Thesensor assembly330 may have a sub-PCB and/or a communication module that communicates with a communication module of thecontrol module640 described later. Themotors113 and123 may be controlled according to a sensed forward-backward position of the pet on the left andright belts110 and120, and a height of thehandle300 may be controlled according to a sensed height of the pet. An inclination of thedisplay210 described later may also be controlled according to a sensed height or position of the pet.

Thehandle sensor331 may sense whether a pet is within a predetermined distance range from thehandle300. If thehandle sensor331 senses that a pet is too far forward (or beyond a first predetermined position in front of the handle300), the main controller may control themotors113 and123 of therollers111 and122, respectively, to speed up a rotation so that a speed of the left andright belts110 and120 is increased and so that the pet may not accidentally walk off the left andright belts110 and120. If thehandle sensor331 senses that a pet is too far backward (or behind a second predetermined position in front of the handle300), the main controller may control themotors113 and123 of therollers111 and122, respectively, to slow down a rotation so that a speed of the left andright belts110 and120 is reduced and so that the pet may not be injured or slide off the left andright belts110 and120.

Thehandle bottom310 may include anouter frame311, aninner frame312 coupled to theouter frame311, and abase frame313 coupled to a slidingframe314 and provided between the inner andouter frames312 and311. The slidingframe314 may be coupled to thehandle top320 and/or abottom frame321 of thehandle top320. The slidingframe314 may slide relative to thebase frame313 to raise a height of thehandle top320. Thebase frame313 and slidingframe314 may be collectively referred to as a middle frame.

The slidingframe314 may have alower side314bthat couples to a gear orroller313bprovided on an upper end of thebase frame313. Thelower side314bof the slidingframe314 may be narrower than an upper side of the slidingframe314 coupled to thehandle top320. A surface of thelower side314bthat contacts thegear313bmay have teeth, and the teeth of thelower side314bof the slidingframe314 may correspond to teeth provided on an outer circumference of thegear313bof thebase frame313. A lower end of thebase frame313 may include amotor313a, which may rotate a belt coupled to thegear313b. Thegear313bmay rotate to move thelower side314bof the slidingframe314 up or down via the teeth of thegear313band thelower side314b. There may be a stopper or rib provided on a lower end of thelower side314bof the slidingframe314 to prevent the slidingframe314 from being detached from thebase frame313.

An inner surface of theinner frame312 may include astopper flange312bhaving a first end and a second end. Thestopper flange312bmay be a raised or protruding portion around an edge of a lower side of theinner frame312. The first end may prevent thelower side314bof the slidingframe314 from being slid further down thebase frame313, while the second end may be at a height higher than the first end to prevent a lower portion of the upper side of the slidingframe314 from being slid further down thebase frame313. A height difference between the first and second ends of thestopper flange312bmay be equal to height difference between the lower end of thelower side314bof the slidingframe314 and a lower end of the upper side of the slidingframe314. A contact between thehandle top320 and upper ends of the inner andouter frames312 and311 may also prevent the slidingframe314 from being slid further down thebase frame313.

The slidingframe314 may be slid manually by a user lifting thehandle top320, or may be slid automatically via amotor313aprovided at a bottom end of thebase frame313. Themotor313amay raise or lower a height of thehandle top320 based on a sensed height of the pet by thehandle sensor331.

The inner andouter frames312 and311 may includeholes312aand311a, respectively, that surround an outer circumference of themotor313a. Alternatively, thehole311amay be a cavity or recess formed in theouter frame311 to accommodate themotor313a. Thebase frame313 may include a hinge shaft on a side opposite to a side where themotor313ais provided, and the hinge shaft may penetrate through thehole312aof theinner frame312 to couple to a hinge hole provided in thehandle mount153. Thehandle300 may rotate via the hinge shaft of thebase frame313 and hinge hole of thehandle mount153. There may be an optional motor provided in thehandle mount153 to automatically rotate thehandle bottom310 between a first or storage position and a second or exercise position.

Lengths of the slidingframe314,base frame313, and inner andouter frames312 and311 may be configured such that when the slidingframe314 is slid away from thebase frame313 by a maximum amount, thehandle300 may fit around the front ends (or alternatively, the back ends) of the upper andlower frames140 and150. The treadmill1 may be conveniently stored when thehandle300 is rotated so that the outer, inner, base, and slidingframes311,312,313, and314 are provided to be parallel to a longitudinal length of thelower frame150. A user may carry the treadmill1 by holding onto the upper andlower frames140 and150 when thehandle top320 is folded or by grabbing thehandle top320 in such a folded position.

When thehandle300 is folded to a first position, the treadmill1 may be activated to be in a storage state. Thehandle bottom310 may be parallel to a side of thebase100. In the storage state, various devices (e.g., theblower610,thermoelectric cooling assembly630, and the fragrance assembly500) may be turned off to save power and prevent unintended scents from being emitted. Thephotocatalytic deodorizer622 and sterilizinglights191 and192 described later may be activated in the storage state to deodorize the treadmill1.

When thehandle300 is unfolded and rotated to a second position, the treadmill1 may be activated to be in an exercise state. Thecover151 that covers thedebris remover180 may be coupled to the base100 at a position that aligns with thehandle mount153, and sides of thecover151 may be configured to prevent thehandle300 from rotating past the second position or past the first position. Sides of thecover151 may serve as stoppers that limit thehandle300 within a rotation range defined by the first and second positions.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 16-19, the treadmill1 may further include adebris remover180 provided under anopening152 of thelower frame150. Thedebris remover180 may be configured to scrape off and collect pet fur and other debris on the left andright belts110 and120. Theopening152 of thelower frame150 may be formed in a bottom surface of thelower frame150, and may be partially formed in side surfaces of thelower frame150. A shape and size of theopening152 may correspond to a shape and size of thedebris remover180.

Acover151 may be provided to be detachable from thelower frame150 to cover thedebris remover180 and theopening152. When the user removes thecover151, the user may remove thedebris remover180 to dispose of any debris caught by thedebris remover180. Sides of thecover151 may have a curvature that corresponds to an outer contour of the side surfaces of thelower frame150. The sides of thecover151 may extend upward to be snap-fitted onto the side surfaces of thelower frame150. A first end (e.g., a front end) of thecover151 may have side surfaces that extend higher than side surfaces of a second end (e.g., a back end).

Thecover151 may have a recess formed in a bottom surface in which thedebris remover180 may be inserted. A shape and size of the recess of thecover151 may correspond to a shape and size of an outer contour of bottom and side surfaces of thedebris remover180. Sides of thecover151 may have a curvature configured to correspond with a curvature of an outer side surface of thelower frame150 of thebase100. Thecover151 may have a first edge and a second edge that is higher than the first edge. An angled edge may extend between the first and second edges. Thehandle bottom310 may be mounted to the base100 at a position adjacent to the angled edge. The first edge may maintain thehandle bottom310 in a position that is parallel to the side of thebase100, and may limit a position of thehandle bottom310 past the first position. The angled edge may maintain thehandle bottom310 in an upright position where thehandle top320 crosses over the left andright belts110 and120, and may limit a position of thehandle bottom310 past the second position. At the second position, thehandle bottom310 may be positioned at a predetermined angle away from a rear of thebase100. The predetermined angle may be an obtuse angle with respect to the rear of the base100 or an acute angle with respect to the front of thebase100.

Thedebris remover180 may be a rectangular hollow container or tray having an opening orhole183 through which hair, fur, lint, or other debris may enter. A height of thedebris remover180 may be configured so as to rest below the left andright belts110 and120 without contacting the floor. Theopening183 may be provided on a protruding portion of thedebris remover180 that extends upward toward the left andright belts110 and120, which may be exposed to thedebris remover180 via theopening152 in thelower frame150. The protruding portion of thedebris remover180 may have an angled edge close to or in contact with the left andright belts110 and120. When a pet sheds hair onto the left andright belts110 and120, the protruding portion of thedebris remover180 may scrape or brush off the hair, and the hair may fall into theopening183.

The protruding portion of thedebris remover180 may include a surface orscraper184 configured to scrape debris off of the left andright belts110 and120 and induce a static charge, such as fabric, felt, sweeper, or a brush (e.g., microbrush, fine brush, or bristle brush) to catch hair and debris. For convenience of description, the surface orscraper184 will be referred to as abrush184. Thebrush184 may also ionize the left andright belts110 and120 so that more hair may cling to the left andright belts110 and120 via static electricity instead of falling onto thelower frame150 before reaching theopening152 and thedebris remover180. Thebrush184 and/or bristles of thebrush184 may have a stiffness that is sufficient to grab hair and clean a bottom surface of the left andright belts110 and120.

Theopening183 andbrush184 may be formed at an end end of thedebris remover180 to catch debris on a bottom section of the outer surfaces of the left andright belts110 and120, which may be moving in a backward direction (i.e., from a rear of the base100 toward a front of the base100) when a top section of the outer surfaces of the left andright belts110 and120 are moving in a forward direction (i.e., from the front of the base100 toward the rear of the base100) during an exercise program. Thebrush184 may be provided on a leading edge of theopening183 with respect to a movement of the bottom section of the outer surfaces of the left andright belts110 and120. Thebrush184 and theopening183 may extend below both the left andright belts110 and120.

Thedebris remover180 may include alower frame181 and anupper frame182. Theupper frame182 may include theopening183, and may be pressed-fit onto thelower frame181. Thelower frame181 may include a cavity or space in which hair is stored, and theupper frame182 may close the space. Thelower frame181 may further include arecess181bformed in a bottom surface. Therecess181bmay optionally serve as a tray to hold a film of water or gel and to capture hair or debris received through theopening183 and prevent hair from escaping out of theopening183.Optional vents181aand151amay be formed at ends (e.g., front ends) of thebottom frame181 and thecover151, respectively, to drain any excess water or gel in therecess181b.

A user may remove thecover151 from thelower frame150 to access thedebris remover180. Thedebris remover180 may be removed from under thelower frame150, and the user may separate theupper frame182 from thelower frame181 to empty the contents collected in the space of thedebris remover180. The user may also replace or refill water in therecess181b.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 19, aback height adjuster410 may control lengths of back left andright legs411aand412ato control a back inclination of the treadmill1. Theback height adjuster410 may be provided on the back end of thelower frame150 under theback frame141 of theupper frame140. Theback frame144 of theupper frame140 may be provided on a top surface of a rear frame or shield414 of theback height adjuster410. The back left andright legs411aand412amay be inserted through holes provided on back corners of a bottom surface of thelower frame140.

Theback height adjuster410 may adjust the back left andright legs411aand412avia air suspension, as oil or other liquid used in hydraulic movement may interfere with a scent or smell released by thefragrance assembly500. However, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to air suspension methods. Theback height adjuster410 may include left and right air suspension compressors and pumps to independently adjust a height of the back left andright legs411aand412a, respectively. Theback height adjuster410 may include left andright air tanks411 and412, and at least one printed circuit board to independently control the left andright air tanks411 and412 and therefore a height adjustment of the left andright legs411aand412abased on signals received from the main controller of thecontrol module640.

The left andright air tanks411 and412 may be coupled to a back side of therear shield414 of theback height adjuster410. Therear shield414 may serve as a frame that separates theback height adjuster410 from theback rollers111 and121. Therear shield414 may be fixed to thelower frame150 so that when lengths of the back left andright legs411aand412aare lengthened, respective corners of thelower frame150 are lifted to adjust an inclination of the treadmill1.

The left andright legs411aand412aof theback height adjuster410 may each include an inner or lower pipe or piston inserted into an outer or upper pipe. The outer pipe may be fixed to theheight adjuster410 and/or thelower frame150. When the left air suspension compressor and pump is driven to pump air from theleft air tank411, the inner piston may be driven downward, and the outer pipe may rise relative to the inner piston to lift the left corner of the treadmill1. An overlapping length of the inner piston and outer pipe may decrease during a lifting process, while the overlapping length is increased during a lowering process where the outer pipe may lower onto the inner piston as the inner piston is inserted further into the outer pipe.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 20, a front side of therear shield414 of theback height adjuster410 may include aroller cover194 to partially cover and/or divide theback rollers111 and121 from the back left andright air tanks411 and412. Theback roller cover194 may have a concave curvature so as not to interfere with a rotation of theback rollers111 and121. Similarly, side surfaces of therear shield414 of theback height adjuster410 may have a curved shape or concave opening so as not to interfere with a rotation of theback rollers111 and121.

The left andright belts110 and120 may collect sweat, slobber, or bacteria during exercise. The left andright belts110 and120 may be sterilized or cleaned by back andfront sterilizing lights191 and192 provided at the back and front ends of the treadmill1, respectively. The back andfront sterilizing lights191 and192 may face the left andright belts110 and120, and may sterilize a greater portion of the left andright belts110 and120 as the left andright belts110 and120 move. The back andfront sterilizing lights191 and192 may operate in a storage mode, for a predetermined sterilization time period, or periodically at set intervals.

The back sterilizing light191 may include at least one ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diode (LED). For convenience of description, the back sterilizing light191 will be referred to as aback UV LED191. Theback UV LED191 may emit UV light configured to kill or inactivate bacteria or other microorganisms, such as UV-C light (e.g., light having a wavelength between 220-280 nm).

Theback UV LED191 may be provided on a front surface of a rear frame or shield414 of theback height adjuster410 to face the back left andright rollers111 and121. Therear shield414 may have a top plate or portion configured to prevent UV light from being irradiated upward or outside of theupper frame140. Theback UV LED191 may be provided above theroller cover194. Theroller cover194 may include a sub-printed circuit board (PCB) to control an operation of theback UV LED191 and/or a height adjustment of the left andright legs411aand412a. Theback UV LED191 may have a length extending in a longitudinal direction of the back left andright rollers111 and121, and may be provided at a center such that a left portion of theback UV LED191 sterilizes theleft belt110, and a right portion of theback UV LED191 sterilizes theright belt120.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 21, the front sterilizing light192 may similarly include at least one UV LED. For convenience of description, the front sterilizing light192 will be referred to as a front UV LED. Thefront UV LED192 may emit UV light configured to kill or inactivate bacteria or other microorganisms, such as UV-C light (e.g., light having a wavelength between 220-280 nm). Thefront UV LED192 may be provided on a back surface of afront roller cover193. Like theback roller cover194, thefront roller cover193 may separate thefront rollers112 and112 from a front portion of the base100 including theblower610 and thefragrance assembly500 described later. Thefront roller cover193 may have side surfaces that are curved or have concave openings so as not to interfere with a rotation of thefront rollers112 and122.

Thefront UV LED192 may have a length extending in a longitudinal direction of the front left andright rollers112 and122, and may be provided at a center of thefront roller cover193 such that a left portion of thefront UV LED192 may sterilize theleft belt110 and a right portion of thefront UV LED192 may sterilize theright belt120. Thefront UV LED192 may be provided in an upper portion or side of thefront roller cover193, while a PCB may be optionally provided in a lower side of thefront roller cover193 to control an operation of thefront UV LED192. A shape of thefront roller cover193 may be configured to prevent UV light from being irradiated upward or outside of theupper frame140.

Thefront roller cover193 may divide the left andright belts110 and120 from a space under thefront frame141 that includes thefragrance assembly500, theblower610, and the front height adjuster420 (seeFIG. 4). Referring toFIGS. 6, 22, and23, thefront height adjuster420 may operate similarly to theback height adjuster410 via air suspension. Thefront height adjuster420 may include front left andright legs421aand422athat are independently controlled by left and right air suspension compressors and pumps and at least one printed circuit board. Thefront height adjuster420 may include left andright air tanks421 and422, and the printed circuit board may independently control the left andright air tanks421 and422 based on signals received from the main controller of thecontrol module640.

Each of the front left andright legs421aand422amay include an outer or upper pipe or piston and an inner or lower pipe. When an air pressure is applied by, e.g., theleft air tank421, the outer pipe of the frontleft leg421amay rise relative to the inner pipe or piston to raise a height of the frontleft leg421aand therefore a front left corner of the treadmill1.

The fourlegs411a,412a,421a, and422aof the treadmill1 may be provided at or near corners of thebase100 and independently controlled so that a tilt or inclination of the treadmill1 may be varied and customized according to a program played on thedisplay210. The front left andright legs421aand422amay extend from a lower surface of thefront support420. When a height of at least one of the front right and leftlegs421aand/or422ais adjusted, heights of corresponding corners or sides of the upper andlower frames140 and150 may also be adjusted.

For example, thefront height adjuster420 may raise, via the front left and right air suspensions compressors and pumps, the front left andright legs421aand422aby equal amounts to create a constant inclination of the treadmill1 to correspond to, for example, a hill program. As another example, thefront height adjuster420 may raise, via the front right air suspension compressor and pump, only the frontright leg422a, and theback height adjuster410 may raise, via the back left air suspension compressor and pump, only the backleft leg411ato simulate a rocky or mountain terrain.

Afront support423 on which the left andright air tanks421 and422 of thefront height adjuster420 may be provided in front of theblower610. Astand424 may be coupled to thefront support423. Thefront frame141 of thefront support420 may be provided on an upper surface of thefront support423 to cover the left andright air tanks421 and422. The front end of thelower frame150 may also be securely fixed (e.g., bonded or welded) to sides of thefront support423. Thestand424 may serve as a base or support when the treadmill1 is stored (seeFIG. 5B). Thestand424 may be coupled to adisplay mount211 described later when theattachment module200 is attached.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 22-24, theblower610 may be a radial bladed fan orwheel610 provided at a front of the treadmill1. Thedeodorizer620 and thethermoelectric cooling assembly630 may also be provided at the front of the treadmill1. Theblower610 may be a tangential fan or cross-flow blower to disperse scents from thefragrance assembly500, disperse cool or warm air from thethermoelectric cooling assembly630, and/or disperse air deodorized by thephotocatalytic deodorizer622 of thedeodorizer620. Theblower610 may have a cylindrical shape and a length corresponding to a length of thefront frame144 and/or a length corresponding to a length of thevents146 to facilitate laminar air flow through thevents146.

Thethermoelectric cooling assembly630 may include a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) orPeltier device633. Above and below thePeltier device633 may be top andbottom heat sinks634 and632, respectively. The top andbottom heat sinks634 and632 may each have a heat dissipation plate provided on thePeltier device633, and may have radiating fins extending upward and downward, respectively, from the heat dissipation plates of the top andbottom heat sinks634 and632.

ThePeltier device633 may electrically connect to acontrol module640 described later, and may receive a current to cool or warm air dispersed through thevents146 by theblower610. When a voltage is applied to thePeltier device633, heat may be transferred from a first side (e.g., upper side) to a second side (e.g., bottom side) such that there is a temperature difference between the first and second sides.

Afan631 may be provided below thebottom heat sink634 and above discharge holes154 (FIG. 5) provided in a bottom surface of thelower frame150. A motor may rotate a shaft of thefan631 to exhaust hot air during a cooling process (or alternatively, cool air in a heating process) dissipated by thebottom heat sink634 through the discharge holes154.

During a cooling process, the upper side of thePeltier device633 may become cold, causing thetop heat sink632 to become cold, resulting in a drop in temperature of the ambient air, which is blown by theblower610. The bottom side of thePeltier device633 may become hot, causing thebottom heat sink634 to become hot, resulting in an increased temperature of the ambient air, which his exhausted out of the discharge holes154 by thefan610. During a heating process, the upper side of thePeltier device633 may become hot, and hot air near thetop heat sink632 may be drawn through thevents146 via theblower610. The bottom side of thePeltier device633 may become cold, and cold air may be exhausted out of the discharge holes154 via thefan610.

A temperature of the pet may be sensed by thehandle sensor331 and/or the left andright proximity sensors132 and133, which may include an infrared sensor or a thermometer. Alternatively or in addition thereto, there may be another optional temperature sensor. During exercise, a temperature of the pet and/or ambient air may be maintained, via an operation of thePeltier device633, at a predetermined temperature or temperature range. As an example, the ambient air above the left andright belts110 and120 and/or surrounding the treadmill1 may be maintained at a temperature between 15-18° C. or between 59-65° F.

Thefan631 may rotate at a greater speed than theblower610 and may generate a greater airflow than theblower610. There may be two sets offans631,Peltier device633, and top andbottom heat sinks634 and632 corresponding to left and right sides of the treadmill1. Positions of thefan631,Peltier device633, top andbottom heat sinks634 and632,blower610, and vents146 may be configured so that warm or cool air may be drawn by theblower610 and dispersed through thevents146.

Thedeodorizer620 may neutralize pollutants or odor particles in the air above the left andright belts110 and120. Thedeodorizer620 may include twoLED modules623 protruding from aphotocatalyst housing624 and oriented toward aphotocatalytic deodorizer622. TheLED modules623 may each include at least one light emitting diode and emit light of a visible wavelength of a specific color temperature, e.g., 1,000-10,000 kelvin, on thephotocatalytic deodorizer622. Alternatively, theLED modules623 may emit UV light. Thephotocatalyst housing624 may be provided to house and surround thephotocatalytic deodorizer622. Thephotocatalyst housing624 may have an opening or hole through which thephotocatalytic deodorizer622 is exposed toward theLED modules623.

A bottom surface or side of theLED modules623 may be coupled to an upper surface of thephotocatalyst housing624, and theLED modules623 may be positioned to be inclined so that the light emitting diode may emit light toward thephotocatalytic deodorizer622. TheLED modules623 may have a length less than or equal to a length of the sides of thephotocatalyst housing624 on which they are mounted.

Thephotocatalytic deodorizer622 may be made of or coated in a material having strong oxidizing properties (e.g., titanium or titanium dioxide (TiO₂)) so when theLED modules623 shine light on thephotocatalytic deodorizer622, thephotocatalytic deodorizer622 may be activated to release or emit electrons or ions that react with the air at or near the treadmill1 to break apart pollutants. Theblower610 may disperse the emitted ions through thevents146 to deodorize air outside of thebase100. Thedeodorizer620 may remove odors from the air around the treadmill1 and/or a pet or pet odor remaining on the treadmill after the pet has exercised or while the pet is exercising. Thedeodorizer620 may operate when the treadmill1 is not being used and thefragrance assembly500 is in a closed state so as not to emit any scents or fragrances, which can be neutralized by the ions.

Thecontrol module640 may also be provided in the space between thefront roller cover193 and thesecond height adjuster420. Thecontrol module640 may be provided under thephotocatalytic deodorizer622, and may include a main controller on a main printed circuit board (PCB) that controls a power supply to the motors of thefans631, themotor313aof thehandle300, an operation of thedisplay210, etc. Thecontrol module640 may further include an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter to convert external AC power to DC power to power thefans631,motor313a,display210,UV LEDs191 and192,LED modules623, etc. External power may be applied to a terminal or socket provided on thebase100 of the treadmill1. The terminal or socket may be provided at the front end of thebase100 and may be electrically coupled to thecontrol module640.

Thecontrol module640 may have a communication module to communicate with communication modules of other devices (e.g., communication modules of the back andfront height adjusters410 and420 or in thesensor assembly330 of the handle300). The communication module of thecontrol module640 may also communicate with a server, and/or may include a WiFi or Bluetooth module so that a user (e.g., pet owner) may control the treadmill1 from a mobile or web application. Through a web/mobile application, the owner's image/video and voice may be provided on thedisplay210 with audio, and an embedded camera and microphone on thedisplay210 may be used to transmit the pet's image/video to a mobile or remote device (e.g., computer or mobile phone) via the communication module.

The communication module of thecontrol module640 may also interact with a pet pendant or pet identification tag having a GPS tracker. When the main controller determines that the owner is away (based on GPS data from the owner's phone) but that the pet is still at home (based on GPS data from the GPS tracker in the pet pendant), the treadmill1 may turn on thedisplay210, dispense treats on the dispensingtray220, or emit smells or scents via thefragrance assembly500 to lure the pet to the treadmill1. A luring and rewards process will be described in more detail later after describing thefragrance assembly500 anddisplay210.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 25-26, thefragrance assembly500 may include acartridge504 having a plurality ofscent modules505 provided in thecartridge504. Thecartridge504 may be provided in aninner case502 having an opening502athrough which thescent modules505 are exposed, and thecartridge504 may rotate to expose aparticular scent module505 through the opening502aof theinner case502. Theblower610 may rotate to disperse a scent and/or fragrance from the exposedscent module505 through thevents146 and to a pet using the treadmill1.

Thecartridge504 may be divided into sections by tabs or walls, anddifferent scent modules505 may be provided in different sections of thecartridge504. Shapes of thescent modules505 may correspond to shapes of the sections of thecartridge504 in which thescent modules505 are inserted. As exemplified in the figures, thecartridge504 may be formed by four vertical walls perpendicular to each other and intersecting at a center to create four 90° corners. Side ends of thecartridge504 may each have a circular cap.

The four vertical walls may have a length that is parallel to a length of theblower610. Thescent modules505 may have a length equal to or less than the length of the four vertical walls. As exemplified in the figures, thescent modules505 may resemble elongated wedges having 90° corners that are inserted into the corners created by the four vertical walls, and having a curved or arc-shaped circumference to match a curvature of the cap provided at the sides of thecartridge504. When thescent modules505 are inserted into thecartridge504, thecartridge504 and thescent modules505 may together form a cylinder.

Thescent modules505 may be made of a scented oil, wax, or gel that is in a primarily solid state that vaporizes when a temperature is slightly risen and/or emits scented vapor or fragrances. Alternatively, thescent modules505 may be made of an absorbent or sponge-like material (e.g., felt) that is soaked in a liquid fragrance material. Theblower610 may draw out and disperse the scent provided by thescent modules505. As pets may be sensitive to smell, theblower610 may draw out the scent provided from thescent modules505 instead of blowing or pushing the scents from behind thefragrance assembly500. Such a configuration of theblower610,fragrance assembly500, and vents146 may reduce a possibility of mixing smells. In addition, an outer layer of eachscent module505 may have an optional neutral smelling or protective layer to serve as a barrier, and the scent released from thescent module505 may be stronger or dispersed further when theblower610 rotates, and may be weaker or not dispersed very far when theblower610 stops rotating.

As an example, thecartridge504 may hold afirst scent module505 that emits a flower flagrance to correspond to a video displaying flowers along a road or trail played on the display, asecond scent module505 that emits a sea or beach fragrance to correspond to a seaside or beach video played on the display, athird scent module505 that emits phytoncide or a forest fragrance to correspond to a forest or woods themed video played on the display, and afourth scent module505 that emits no fragrance or a neutral fragrance. Alternatively, a fourth section of thecartridge504 may not include afourth scent module505 and may remain empty.

Thecartridge504 may be placed between two side supports503aand503b, and thecartridge504 and the side supports503aand503bmay be placed in theinner case502. At least one of the side supports503aor503bmay include a motor to rotate thecartridge504. InFIG. 26,side support503bincludes a motor. Theinner case502 may have a hollow, truncated cylinder shape. Theinner case502 may have anopening502athat is cut into a bottom or side surface, and theopening502amay have a shape that corresponds to a shape of onescent module505. The opening502amay be slightly smaller than the shape of the scent module505 (e.g., the opening502amay have an 88° corner) so that no other scents fromother scent modules505 may be exposed through the opening502a.

Thecartridge504 may rotate so that only onescent module505 is exposed through the opening502a. A rotation of thecartridge504 may be automatic via the motor, and a fragrance emitted by thefragrance assembly500 to the pet may be changed by a change of an exposedscent module505 via a rotation of thecartridge504. For example, thefirst scent module505 having a flower or floral fragrance may be exposed through the opening502awhen a flower program or flowery road is played on thedisplay210. When thedisplay210 changes to show a forest scene, thecartridge504 may rotate in theinner case502 until thethird scent module505 emitting a phontycide or forest scent is exposed through the opening502a.

Thecartridge504 may rotate to expose the blank,fourth scent module505 to close thefragrance assembly500. Thecartridge504 may be rotated to expose thefourth scent module505 when the treadmill1 is in a storage state, when the treadmill1 is not being used, and/or when thedeodorizer620 is operated. Therefore, the other odors of thescent modules505 will not break down by the ions emitted by thephotocatalytic deodorizer622. Alternatively, the opening502amay be closed by an optional automatic gate provided in theinner case502a.

Theinner case502 holding thecartridge504 may be placed into thecartridge case501. Thecartridge case501 may have a truncated cylinder shape. A cover orlid506 may be configured to close a flat or truncated upper opening of thecartridge case501 so that unintended fragrances do not escape or are not emitted toward the pet using the treadmill1. Thecover506 may be pressed fit onto thecartridge case501, and may have grooves or recesses formed in an upper surface in which a user may wedge a finger or nail to remove thecover506 from thecartridge case501 to access thecartridge504. Thecartridge504 may be formed to be durable, and thescent modules505 may be easily removed from thecartridge504 and replaced. Alternatively, thecartridge504 may be formed integrally with thescent modules505, and may be disposed and replaced when the scent modules run out of fragrance.

Although not shown, a lower or side surface of thecartridge case501 may have an opening or vents at a position that corresponds to a position of the opening502aof theinner case502 so that fragrance or scent from an exposedscent module505 may be dispersed to thevents146 via theblower610.

The scents released by thefragrance assembly500 may be coded into information that is part of a predetermined exercise program such that at certain time intervals, certain scents are released. Content on thedisplay210 may also be part of the predetermined exercise program, and thefragrance assembly500 and content on thedisplay210 may correspond to each other as time progresses.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 27, theattachment module200 may include adisplay210 to play videos or exercise programs or display a user interface to manually control an operation by the user. Thedisplay210 may include at least one speaker and a camera. Content played on thedisplay210 may be frequently changed so as to continue to stimulate the pet.

Theattachment module200 may further include adisplay mount211, acontainer230 to hold food or treats, a lid231 (FIG. 3) that may be removed to refill thecontainer230 with treats, and a dispensingtray220 on which treats from thecontainer230 may be dispensed. The dispensingtray220 may include a tray or dispensingcontainer221 which may couple to thecontainer230 and support thedisplay mount211, and anattachment base240 that couples to the dispensingtray220 and thetray container221 to thestand424 of thesecond height adjuster420. Thedisplay210,display mount211,container230, dispensingtray220,tray container221, andattachment base240 may be removable, and a user may choose to only attach, as an example thedisplay210 and theattachment base240.

Referring toFIGS. 6, 8, 27, and 28A, theattachment base240 may be a plate having a rectangular or square shape. A lower side or portion of theattachment base240 may be coupled to an upper side or portion of thestand424. As shown inFIG. 8, the lower side of a back surface of theattachment base240 may have a protrusion which may be inserted into a recess or groove provided in an upper side of a front surface of thestand424. The recess or groove of thestand424 may have a recessed cylindrical shape corresponding to a cylindrical shape of the protrusion of theattachment base240. The protrusion of theattachment base240 may be pressed-fit into the recess of thestand424 to be removable so that theentire attachment assembly200 may be removed from the treadmill1.

Thetray container221 may have an upper hole or opening that communicates with a bottom hole or opening of thecontainer230. Thetray container221 may also have a lower hole or opening so that treats stored in thecontainer230 may fall through the bottom hole of thecontainer230, the upper hole of thetray container221, and the lower hole of thetray container221 onto the dispensingtray220. At least one of upper and lower holes of thetray container221 and or the bottom hole of thecontainer230 may have a gate that is automatically driven to selectively open and close. The gate may open when it is time to dispense a treat (e.g., during a luring process or during a rewards process), and may close to prevent treats from falling onto the dispensing tray220 (e.g., during an exercise process or in a storage state).

Thecontainer230 may be a hollow container formed of front and back walls, side walls, an upper wall andlid231, and an optional bottom wall having an opening. The side walls and front and back walls may be pressed fit onto grooves provided on an upper surface of thetray container221. Thecontainer230 may be easily removable from thetray container221 so that a user may clean or refill treats stored in thecontainer230. The lid231 (FIG. 3) provided on a top of thecontainer230 may allow a user to quickly refill thecontainer230, or alternatively may be a handle that allows a user to remove thecontainer230 from thetray container221.

Thetray container221 may be a hollow container formed of front and back walls, side walls, an upper wall, and an optional bottom wall. Thetray container221 may be formed separately from the dispensingtray220 and later combined, or thetray container221 and the dispensingtray220 may be formed together (e.g., injection molded) as a single element. Thetray container221 and the dispensingtray220 may be made of plastic or, alternatively, metal.

A bottom end of thedisplay mount211 may be provided on and supported by the upper wall of thetray container221. Thedisplay mount211 may be a plate having, for example, a rectangular or square shape. The front wall of thecontainer230 may be inclined backward from a lower end to an upper end. A back surface of thedisplay mount211 may have a shape and inclination corresponding to a shape and inclination of the front wall of thecontainer230 and may be provided on the front wall of thecontainer230. A size of thedisplay mount211 may be equal to or smaller than a size of the front wall of thecontainer230. Alternatively, thedisplay mount211 may be larger than the front wall of thecontainer230 and/or protrude above the front wall of thecontainer220.

Thedisplay mount211 may be removably coupled to thecontainer230. For example, thedisplay mount211 may be coupled magnetically to thecontainer230. Alternatively, thecontainer230 may have rail guides, and a back of thedisplay mount211 may have rails that slide into the rail guides.

Thedisplay mount211 may have at least one protrusion protruding outward from a front surface and having at least one opening or hole in which a support shaft orprotrusion210aof thedisplay210 may be inserted. Thedisplay210 may be hingedly coupled to thedisplay mount211 via thehole211aand theprotrusion210a.

Referring toFIGS. 28A-28C, at least one of thedisplay210, thecontainer230, thetray container221, and the dispensingtray220 may be optional, and a user may customize theattachment module200. When the dispensingtray220,tray container221, and thecontainer230 are omitted, thedisplay210 may be coupled directly to thestand424. In such a case, thedisplay210 may have a fixed inclination or orientation. A back surface of thedisplay210 may be configured to couple to a front surface of thestand424 via, e.g., a groove in the front surface of thestand240 and a corresponding protrusion on a back surface of thedisplay210.

FIG. 28B exemplifies anattachment module200 where thedisplay210 and thedisplay mount211 are omitted.FIG. 28C exemplifies anattachment module200 where the dispensingtray220,tray container221,container230, anddisplay mount211 are omitted.

Referring back toFIG. 28A, theprotrusion210amay rotate within thehole211aso that an inclination of thedisplay210 may be adjusted. There may be a motor provided in theprotrusion210aso that an inclination of thedisplay210 may be automatically adjusted. The inclination of thedisplay210 may be automatically adjusted based on a height of the pet sensed by thehandle sensor331 provided in thehandle330, a position of the pet sensed by left andright proximity sensors132 and133 provided in thedivider130 described later, and/or an image captured by the camera of thedisplay210. Thedisplay210 may be inclined away from a pet on the treadmill1 from a bottom end to a top end such that an angle between the front of thedisplay210 and a horizontal axis is obtuse.

Thedisplay210 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) backlit by light emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Thedisplay210 may have a communication and/or WiFi or BlueTooth module so that videos (e.g., DogTV videos) may be streamed on thedisplay210 and/or a remote owner may communicate with a pet on the treadmill1 via, e.g., FaceTime or Skype, or via a mobile/web application executed by the remote user (i.e., a pet owner). Applications typically requiring input by callers to accept or place a call (as with FaceTime or Skype) may be modified to be controlled by the pet owner and/or be implemented in a mode that automatically accepts calls. Videos streamed on thedisplay210 may be also designed for pets, and may show certain shades of colors (e.g., yellow, blue, gray, and/or green) for dogs. The videos played on thedisplay210 may have a relatively high refresh rate or flicker frequency (e.g., at least 100 Hz) so that a pet may perceive the images as continuous. Thedisplay210 may also emit sounds at a relatively high frequency (e.g., 47,000-75,000 Hz) to stimulate the pet.

Thedisplay210 may further include a camera or webcam so that the owner may see the pet, and/or images from thehandle sensor331 may be accessed online or via a mobile application. Thedisplay210 may also be configured to play pre-recorded exercise programs, which may be programmed in conjunction with thefragrance assembly500, theblower610, and/or the back andfront height adjusters410 and420. Thedisplay210 may have a printed circuit board that electrically connects to thecontrol module640. Thedisplay210 and/or thecontrol module640 may include a memory or storage to store exercise data about how often, how long, and how far a pet has exercised.

Referring toFIGS. 29-30, the dispensingtray220 may provide a surface on which treats stored in thecontainer230 may be dropped. The dispensingtray220 may have curved sidewalls so as to prevent treats from being dropped off the sides of the dispensingtray220. Treats may remain on the dispensingtray220, or alternatively a curvature and inclination of the dispensingtray220 may be configured to guide treats onto the left andright belts110 and/or120. When a treat is dispensed onto the dispensingtray220, thevents146 may be automatically closed, and the left andright belts110 and/or120 may be slowed down or stopped (i.e., themotors123 and113 may slow down or stop a rotation of the front right and back leftrollers122 and111) so that a pet may safely consume the treat.

Thevents146 may include provided in theopening147 of thefront frame141. A section of thefront frame141 including theopening147 and vents146 may be an inclined surface having an inclination that is equal or similar to an inclination of a lower surface of the front portion of thedivider130. The front end of thedivider130 may be coupled to the inclined surface of thefront frame141 between left and right sets ofvents146.

Thevents146 may be vanes that are adjustable automatically via a motor provided at ends of thevents146. When the treadmill1 is in a storage mode, thevents146 may be adjusted to be closed. A degree of opening of thevents146 may be adjusted to correspond to an exercise program played on the display210 (e.g., a windy program) or based on a predicted exertion, exhaustion, or temperature of the pet. There may further be an optional temperature sensor provided in thefront frame141 or in thedivider130. In addition, thehandle sensor331 may have an infrared sensor (e.g., passive infrared sensor or PIR) to sense a temperature and/or movement of the pet. When a certain temperature or temperature increase is sensed by the temperature sensor, thevents146 may be opened to a degree corresponding to a degree of the temperature increase, and/or thePeltier device633 may be operated to provide cool air.

A degree of opening of thevents146 may also be controlled to control a strength of scents emitted by thefragrance assembly500. For example, thevents146 may be opened to a maximum degree so that a pet is exposed to a maximum scent strength. Thevents146 may be closed to prevent or minimize the scent strength. Thevents146 may be automatically closed when thefragrance assembly500 is switching between different scents or smells. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a scent strength may be increased by increasing speed of theblower610 and/or by increasing a temperature of the air around thefragrance assembly500 via thePeltier device633 to facilitate a vaporizing of thescent modules505.

If the main controller of thecontrol module640 determines, via positions sensed by the left andright proximity sensors132 and133, that a pet is outside of a predetermined lateral distance range, thecontrol module640 may communicate with various circuitry on the PCBs of the back andfront height adjusters410 and420 so that an inclination of the treadmill1 may be adjusted to scoot or encourage the pet to move back into the predetermined lateral distance range. For example, if thecontrol module640 determines that a pet is too far to the left and outside of the predetermined lateral distance range, the left front andback legs421aand411amay be lengthened so that the treadmill1 is inclined downward in a left-right direction. The pet may fall or be guided toward the right. When it is determined that the pet is within the predetermined lateral distance range, the left front andback legs421aand411amay be shortened back to an initial position, and/or pre-programmed inclinations according to an exercise program may be continued.

In addition to or separate from the inclination control method described above, thecontrol module640 may also calculate a gait when a pet is too far to the left or too far to the right. If thecontrol module640 determines that a pet is too far to the left and outside of the predetermined lateral distance range, thecontrol module640 may determine that a stride length of the pet's right leg is greater than a stride length of the pet's left leg. Thecontrol module640 may control theright motor123 to increase a speed of theright belt120 and/or may control theleft motor113 to decrease a speed of theleft belt110.

A speed sensor may be provided in at least one of themotors123 and/or113, or alternatively on thelower frame150 near one of therollers111,112,121,122 to sense a linear speed of the left and/orright belts110 and120. Alternatively or in addition thereto, thecontrol module640 may determine a speed of the left andright belts110 and120 based on an operation of the left andright motors113 and123. A memory or storage provided in thecontrol module640 may record information on how fast or how far a pet has traveled during exercise.

Referring toFIG. 31, a user may select a “speed link” option so that exercise programs or other content played on thedisplay210 correspond to a speed of the left andright belts110 and120 of the treadmill1. A basic or initial speed of the left andright belts110 and120 may be set to be at or around a natural walking speed (e.g., 4 km/h or roughly 2.5 mph). When the left andright belts110 and120 are moving at different speeds to accommodate gait, the “basic speed” of the left andright belts110 and120 may be defined as an average speed of the left andright belts110 and120.

If the “speed link” option is not selected, then thedisplay210 may display content (e.g., a family picture, a calming image, DOG TV, or other sound, image, or video) regardless of (or independent from) a speed of the left andright belts110 and120. If the “speed link” option is selected, however, the content will play at a normal or regular speed when the left andright belts110 and120 are travelling at the basic speed. The normal or regular speed of the content played on thedisplay210 may simulate or represent the basic speed. If the main controller in thecontrol module640 determines a change in the average speed of the left andright belts110 and120, then the main controller may operate thedisplay210 to proportionately change a speed of the displayed content.

For example, if it is sensed or determined that the average speed of the left andright belts110 and120 has increased from a basic speed of 4 km/h to 6 km/h (roughly 3.7 mph) (for example, due to a speed adjustment based on positions sensed by thehandle sensor331 and/or theproximity sensors132 and133), then the content on thedisplay210 may be played at 1.5 times the normal or regular speed. If it is sensed or determined that the average speed of the left andright belts110 and120 has decreased from a basic speed of 4 km/h to 3 km/h (roughly 1.9 mph), then the content on thedisplay210 may be played at 0.75 times the normal or regular speed.

Referring toFIG. 32, the treadmill1 may operate differently when an owner is away from the home versus when the owner is in the home. The communication module in thecontrol module640 of the treadmill1 may interact with a mobile application or GPS data from a user's cell phone to determine whether the owner is home. When an owner is home, an operation of the treadmill1 may be initiated by the owner, an operation may end 15 minutes later, and a treat may be dispensed on the dispensingtray220. Alternatively, when the owner is home, theattachment module200 may not dispense a treat or reward at the end of the exercise, and the owner may determine whether or not to give his pet a treat.

When the main controller of thecontrol module640 determines that the owner is not home, the treadmill1 may initiate a luring or attraction process until the pet has exercised a predetermined number of times (e.g., four times or two times) during a predetermined time period (e.g., a day or an eight hour period). Thecontrol module640 may have a timer or clock and a memory or storage, and may collect data on how often the treadmill1 is used. The communication module of thecontrol module640 may also interact with a pet pendant or pet tag attached to a particular pet, so when multiple pets live in a single household, thecontrol module640 may be able to collect data on how often a particular pet has used the pet treadmill1.

When the owner is not home, the main controller of thecontrol module640 may first determine whether the treadmill1 has been used that day (or alternatively, whether a particular pet has exercised yet that day). When it is determined that the treadmill1 has not yet been used, thedisplay210 may be controlled to display content that may be pleasing for pets to lure the pet to the treadmill1. For example, thedisplay210 may show images of other pets, play sounds of other animals, or stream programs from programs designed for pets (e.g., DogTV). Thefragrance assembly500 may emit a scent or fragrance (e.g., flower scent or an optional meat or food scent) from one of thescent modules505 to spark curiosity in the pet.

If, in a predetermined time period, the main controller determines that a pet is present on the treadmill1 via sensed measurements from at least one of thehandle sensor331, aproximity sensor132 or133 in thedivider130, or optional weight sensors in thelower frame150, the gate in theattachment module200 may be controlled to be open so that a treat is dispensed from thecontainer230 to the dispensingtray220 to reward the pet for boarding. The left andright belts110 and120 may be turned very soon after dispensing (e.g., half a second or less) to keep the pet's attention and to prevent the pet from jumping off the treadmill1 before an exercise program is started. Once the pet has started an exercise program, operation of the treadmill1 may end a predetermined program time (e.g., 15 minutes) later, and a reward or treat may be dispensed.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, a treat may be dispensed after a pet has exercised for a certain amount of time (e.g., 5 minutes) or exercised a predetermined distance (e.g., 0.3 miles). When a treat is dispensed before an exercise program has ended, speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be slowed down or stopped so that the pet is not injured during consumption of the reward.

If, in a predetermined time period, the main controller determines (via thehandle sensor331, the proximity sensor in thedivider130, or optional weight sensors in the lower frame150) that a pet has not boarded the treadmill1, thedisplay210 may play different content to attract the pet including sound and video of the owner, which may have been pre-recorded and stored in the memory or may be lived streamed from the owner using the mobile/web application upon notification of a failed luring attempt to the owner. Theattachment module200 may also dispense a preliminary treat to lure the pet onto the pet treadmill1. In such a situation, once it is determined that the pet has boarded the treadmill1, the left andright belts110 and120 may be immediately rotated after the determination without regard for whether the pet is centered or properly positioned on the left andright belts110 and120 to prevent the pet from jumping off the treadmill1 after consuming the treat but before exercising.

If the pet is not lured to the treadmill1 after a second predetermined time period, an operation of the treadmill1 may be stopped, and a luring process may be restarted after a predetermined reattempt time (e.g., after 15 minutes, an hour, etc.) If the pet was lured to the treadmill1 and finished an exercise program, the luring process may be restarted after a predetermined rest time (e.g., after four hours) to encourage the pet to use the treadmill1 again later in the day. A memory in the main controller may store information on how often the luring process was initiated and how often and when the pet exercised, and an owner may access that information via thedisplay210 or a mobile application.

Referring toFIG. 33, speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be adjusted based on a forward-backward position sensed by thehandle sensor331. Such adjustments may override any predetermined speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 as part of a predetermined exercise program. If it is determined by the main controller in thecontrol module640 that the pet is properly positioned and/or centered based on a sensed position by thehandle sensor331, then the speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be maintained. However, if the main controller determines that the pet is in front of a predetermined position or a predetermined position range, speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be increased by equal amounts. If the main controller determines that the pet is not centered and behind the predetermined position range (or alternatively, behind a second predetermined position), speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be decreased by equal amounts. A memory in the main controller may store information on the left and right belt speeds110 and120 and how fast the pet exercised during an exercise program or session, and the owner may access that information via thedisplay210 or a mobile application.

Alternatively or in addition thereto to the method of increasing or decreasing speeds shown inFIG. 33, a forward-backward inclination of the treadmill1 may be adjusted via the front andback height adjusters420 and430 based on a forward-backward position sensed by thehandle sensor331. If it is determined by the main controller in thecontrol module640 that the pet is properly positioned and/or centered based on a sensed position by thehandle sensor331, then the inclination of the treadmill1 may be maintained.

However, if the main controller determines that the pet is in front of a predetermined position or a predetermined position range, lengths of the front left andright legs421aand422amay be increased by equal amounts and/or lengths of the back left andright legs411aand412amay be decreased by equal amounts. If the main controller determines that the pet is not centered and behind the predetermined position range (or alternatively, behind a second predetermined position), lengths of the front left andright legs421aand422amay be decreased by equal amounts and/or lengths of the back left andright legs411aand412amay be increased by equal amounts. A memory in the main controller may store information on how often the inclination of the treadmill1 changes and to what degree, and the owner may access that information via thedisplay210 or a mobile application.

Referring toFIG. 34, an inclination of the treadmill1 may be adjusted based on a left-right position of the pet sensed by proximity sensors in thedivider130 by adjusting lengths of thelegs411a,412a,421a, and422a. Such an adjustment may override any predetermined inclinations of the treadmill1 as part of an exercise program. Theleft proximity sensor132 may measure how far to the left a pet may be positioned, and theright proximity sensor133 may measure how far to the right a pet may be positioned.

If the main controller of thecontrol module640 determines, based on positions sensed by the left andright proximity sensors132 and133 in thedivider130, that the pet is beyond a predetermined lateral distance or distance range from thedivider130, the main controller may further determine whether the pet is too far to the left or too far to the right. If it is determined that the pet is too far to the left, then lengths of the left front andback legs421aand411amay be increased and/or lengths of the right front andback legs422aand412amay be decreased via an air suspension process controlled in the front andback height adjusters420 and410. If it is determined that the pet is too far to the right, then lengths of the right front andback legs422aand412amay be increased and/or lengths of the left front andback legs421aand411amay be decreased via an air suspension process controlled in the front andback height adjusters420 and410. If it is determined that the pet is within the predetermined lateral distance, then continuous exercise may be implemented and an inclination of the treadmill1 may not be altered in response to a pet position.

Alternatively or in addition thereto to the method of changing left/right inclinations, the left-right position of the pet may indicate a gait, and speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be changed in response to positions sensed by theproximity sensors132 and133. If it is determined that the pet is too far to the left, then a speed of theleft belt110 may be decreased via theleft motor113 and/or a speed of the right belt may be increased via theright motor123. If it is determined that the pet is too far to the right, then a speed of theleft belt110 may be increased via theleft motor113 and/or a speed of the right belt may be decreased via theright motor123. If it is determined that the pet is within the predetermined lateral distance, then continuous exercise may be implemented and an inclination of the treadmill1 may not be altered in response to a pet position.

Referring toFIG. 35, a user may control whether theattachment module200 will dispense treats during an exercise program or process of the pet. If the user selects a rewards process to be off, then continuous exercise may be implemented without treats being dispensed by theattachment module200. If the user selects the rewards process to be on, then theattachment module200 may periodically dispense treats in the middle of an exercise program based on distance traveled or time. When theattachment module200 dispenses a treat, the left andright belts110 and120 may be controlled to be slowed down or stopped, which may temporarily disrupt the exercise program. The memory of thecontrol module640 may store information on how often and how many treats are dispensed from thecontainer230 onto the dispensingtray220, and the user may access that information via thedisplay210 or a mobile application.

Referring toFIG. 36, the main controller of thecontrol module640 may electrically connect to a communication module provided in thecontrol module640. The communication module may communicate with communication modules of various sub-PCBs provided in the treadmill1 (e.g., in the front andback height adjusters410 and420, in thedisplay210, in thehandle300, etc.), and may also include a WiFi module and a Bluetooth module.

The main controller may control, either directly or interacting with other communication modules, operations of the back andfront LEDs191 and192, the back andfront height adjusters410 and420, thevents146, the left andright proximity sensors132 and133, and the left andright motors113 and123. The main controller may further control an operation of themotor313aandhandle sensor331 in thehandle300 and the motor in theside support503bof thefragrance assembly500. With respect to theattachment module200, the main controller may control an operation of thedisplay210, an inclination of thedisplay210 via thedisplay mount211, and a dispensing of treats via the gate in thecontainer230. The main controller may control an operation of theblower610, thefans632, thePeltier device633, and theLED modules623 that activate thephotocatalytic deodorizer622.

The main controller may make determinations and control operations of the various electronic devices based on sensed measurements by thehandle sensor331, and the left andright proximity sensors132 and133. Sensed measurements may be recorded and stored in the memory, and the main controller may make future determinations based on data stored in the memory. A user may access data stored in the memory via thedisplay210 or on a mobile application installed on a mobile device that communicates with the communication module.

Referring toFIGS. 37A and 37B, the front andback height adjusters410 and420 may alternatively operate via a gear method instead of air suspension.FIGS. 37A and 37B show a gear method for thefront height adjuster420, but a similar method may be applied to theback height adjuster410. Thefront frame141 of theupper frame140 and the front end of thelower frame150 may be fixed to thestand424, which may be slideably coupled to thefront support423. Thefront support423 may be provided in a pair to correspond to left and rightfront legs421aand422a, or may have a slit in a center. Agear423amay have a support or center frame423bthat is fixed to thestand424. The support423bof thegear423amay extend between the pair of front supports423 or alternatively be inserted through the slit of the center of thefront support423. The support423bof thegear423amay extend in a longitudinal direction of the treadmill1, while thegear423amay protrude laterally from the support423b(e.g., toward the right or left) to interact with a back surface of thefront support423. When there is a pair of front supports423, there may be twogears423athat protrude from the support423bto the left and right, respectively.

The back surface of thefront support423 may have teeth that interact with teeth of thegear423a, which may turn manually or via a motor. When thegear423aturns in a first direction, thefront support423 may be slid downward with respect to thestand424, and the upper andlower frames140 and150 may rise. When thegear423aturns in a second direction, thefront support423 may be slid upward with respect to thestand424 and inserted into the treadmill1 to lower the upper andlower frames140 and150.

As another alternative, the back andfront height adjuster410 and420 may have hydraulic or pneumatic pumps and/or a motor or actuator (e.g., electric, pneumatic, hydraulic) to lift the fourlegs411a,412a,421a, and422aand/or the four corners of the treadmill1. The fourlegs411a,412a,421a, and422a, may, for example, have upper and lower pipes that are lengthened via an electric linear actuator.

Although the treadmill1 is described as being used by an animal or pet, embodiments disclosed herein may also be modified (e.g., made bigger) to be used by humans. For example, people who have injured their legs or who otherwise have gait may not be able to use a standard one-belt treadmill, especially during physical therapy after a recent injury. The treadmill1 having left andright belts110 and120 may be implemented as a human treadmill, and speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be adjusted to accommodate a human's gait.

Although the figures show a treadmill including two belts, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented with one belt that rotates around a single front roller and a single back roller provided at a front and back ends of the treadmill, respectively.

One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that, although a treadmill1 is described, features of the treadmill1 may be applied to any number of exercise apparatuses. For example, a stair master machine may have separate right and left tracks, an attachment module, and/or a fragrance assembly. The first andsecond belts110 and120 may alternatively be referred to as first and second moveable members, tracks, treads, panels, or stair assemblies.

Although plastic upper andlower frames140 and150 are described, alternatively, the upper andlower frames140 and150 may be made of metal such as stainless steel to provide a stable, durable base. A treadmill1 made of metal upper andlower frames140 and150 may be advantageous in a dog kennel setting where many different dogs may use the treadmill1 throughout the day. Theupper frame140 may be bonded or welded to thelower frame150.

Even when the upper andlower frames140 and150 are made of plastic, they may alternatively be bonded or welded together instead of being pressed-fit or snapped-fit to each other. A pressed-fit coupling between the upper andlower frames140 and150 may facilitate a removal and replacement of the left andright belts110 and120.

As another alternative, theupper frame140 may be manufactured as a singleupper frame140, or alternatively, theback frame144, the side frames145, and thefront frame141 may be manufactured separately and then later pressed-fit or bonded together for integration. Thelower frame150 may similarly be manufactured as a singlelower frame150 or alternatively, thelower frame150 may include a separate front frame, side frames, and back frame that are pressed-fit or bonded together for integration.

As an alternative to the tworollers121 and122 provided at front and back ends of the treadmill1 as shown in the figures, one of the rollers may be replaced by a fixed shaft or pipe. The shaft may be formed of or coated in a slippery material such that there is not much friction between thebelt120 and the shaft, and thebelt120 may primarily rotate around one roller at a first end and pass over the slippery end of the shaft at the second end.

There may be an optional guide or tab provided on theupper frame140,lower frame150, and/or on side surfaces of therollers111,112,121, and122 to keep the left andright belts110 and120 in place and aligned on therollers111,112,121, and122.

With respect toFIGS. 7A-7C, the front and back roller frames142band142amay include an optional locking mechanism or locking groove to keep the front andback shafts125 and115 fixed and the left andright belts110 and120 taut. The locking mechanism may have a release to allow movement of the front andback shafts125 and115 toward each other to loosen the left andright belts110 and120. As an example, the front roller frames142bmay have a curved groove (e.g., L-shaped, upside down L-shaped, S-shaped, etc.) When theupper frame140 is coupled to thelower frame150, thefront shaft125 may slide further forward in the groove so as to tighten the left andright belts110 and120. The groove on the right front roller frame142brmay have a thick size corresponding to a size of theright motor123, while the groove on the left front roller frame142blmay have a thin size corresponding to a size of thefront shaft125. A vertical section of the grooves may extend all the way down the front roller frames142bfor entry of thefront shaft125 into the groove.

As theupper frame140 is placed downward on thelower frame120, the front roller frames142bland142brand the back roller frames142aland142armay fit onto the front shaft andmotor125 and123 and back motor andshaft113 and115, respectively. Thefront rollers112 and122 may be guided forward by the grooves while theback rollers111 and121 may be guided backward by the grooves to tighten the left andright belts110 and120.

AlthoughFIG. 10A shows theright motor123 coupled to the frontright roller122 and theleft motor113 coupled to the back leftroller111, configurations of themotors113 and123 and therollers111,112,121, and121 are not limited thereto. For example, themotors113 and123 may both be provided to rotate theback rollers111 and121, may both be provided to rotate thefront rollers112 and122, or theright motor123 may rotate the backright belt121 and theleft motor113 may rotate the frontleft belt122.

Although a magnetic coupling of thedivider130 to theupper frame140 is described, a coupling of thedivider130 is not limited thereto. For example, thedivider130 may be pressed-fit into grooves or recesses provided in thevent frame147 and theback frame144 of theupper frame140, or thedivider130 may be bonded to the vent and back frames147 and144.

Although theroller frame160 described with reference toFIGS. 11-13 is described as having a plurality of left andright rollers165 and166, alternatively, the plurality of left andright rollers165 and166, along withcenter rollers167 and168, may be omitted, and theroller frame160 may simply adjust positions of thefront rollers112 and122 with respect to theback rollers111 and121. In such a case, the left andright belts110 and120 may be made out of a strong enough material and configured such that, when tensions of the left andright belts110 and120 are sufficiently tightened, the left andright belts110 and120 may together support a pet under a predetermined weight.

When the plurality of left andright rollers165 and166 are omitted, an optional plate may be provided on top of theroller frame160 and within the closed loops of the left andright belts110 and120 after theroller frame160 is adjusted properly. The plate may be pressed-fit onto upper sides of the front andback frames161 and162. The plate may have a rib or flange that extends downward from left and right sides, and the flange may be inserted into grooves on the upper sides of the front andback frames161 and162.

As another alternative, back and front plates may replace the plurality of left andright rollers165 and166 in theroller frame160 and be fixed to the back andfront frames162 and161, respectively. In such an alternative, there may be a gap between the back and front plates depending on a length adjustment of theroller frame160. The front and back plates may serve to offer temporary support if a pet or object of a weight greater than what the left andright belts110 and120 can support is placed on the left andright belts110 and120, or if a pet or object is placed on the treadmill1 before the left andright belts110 and120 are sufficiently tightened.

As another alternative, the left andright belts110 and120 may not be replaceable, and a plate or inner roller housing may be fixed between theback rollers111 and121 at a back end and thefront rollers112 and122 at a front end, and the left andright belts110 and120 may slide over an upper surface of the inner roller housing. The inner rolling housing may be implemented as slates or mesh to reduce a weight. The inner roller housing may support a weight of a pet using the treadmill1, while the left andright belts110 and120 merely encourage movement of the pet on the treadmill1.

As another alternative, eachroller111,112,121, and112 may have its own shaft, and a vertical plate may be provided on thelower frame150 or theupper frame140 to extend between theleft rollers111 and112 and theright rollers121 and122. The shafts may be coupled to grooves or rails provided on the vertical plate and fixed in place so that a position of the frontright roller122 may be adjusted independently from a position of the frontleft roller112, and a position of the back leftroller111 may be adjusted independently from a position of the backright roller121.

As another alternative, theroller frame160 may replace a part of thelower frame150, and theupper frame140 may be configured to have and adjustable length to correspond to the adjustable length of theroller frame160.

Even when theroller frame160 is omitted, there may be a plurality of left and right rollers extending between pairs of roller frames142 provided in theupper frame140.

Although thehandle mount opening143 is shown as an opening inFIG. 7, alternatively, thehandle mount opening143 may be a recess formed in a side surface of theside wall145 having a depth that corresponds to a thickness of ahandle mount153 extending upward from thelower frame150.

Although thehandle300 is described and shown inFIG. 2 as having onehandle sensor331 to sense a height and frontward-backward position of a pet, alternatively or in addition thereto, there may be at least two handlesensors331 provided at left and right sides of thehandle assembly330 under thehandle top320. Based on information from both the left andright handle sensors331, the main controller may determine whether a pet is too far to the left or too far to the right on the treadmill1. Such a detection may also be sensed via theproximity sensors132 and133 provided in thedivider130.

If the handle sensor331 (or, alternatively, theproximity sensors132 and133 in the divider130) senses that a pet is outside of a predetermined distance range from a center of the treadmill1, theheight adjusters410 and420 may adjust an inclination of the treadmill1 by raising or lowering heights of thelegs411a,412a,421a, and422ato shift the pet back to a more central position within the predetermined distance range from a center of the treadmill1. For example, if it is sensed that a pet is at a position to a right beyond the predetermined distance range, the front andback height adjusters420 and410 may raise the front and backright legs421aand411ato shift the pet back toward the center of the pet treadmill. Once it is sensed that the pet is within the predetermined distance range from the center of the treadmill1, the front andback height adjusters420 and410 may lower the front and backright legs421aand411aback to an initial position so that the pet may continue with a previously started exercise program.

There may be optional weight sensors provided in thelower frame150. The main controller may make determinations of a position of the pet based on data from the weight sensors.

With respect toFIGS. 16-18, although a square orrectangular debris remover180 andopening152 is exemplified in the figures, embodiments disclosed are not limited to such shapes. Alternatively or in addition thereto, thebrush184 may rotate via a motor to deposit the debris into theopening183 of thedebris remover180. In addition, a placement of theopening183 and thebrush184 are not limited to a back end of thedebris remover180, and may alternatively be placed at a front end or in a middle of thedebris remover180, with theopening183 being provided in front of thebrush184 with respect to a movement of the left andright belts110 and120. In addition, a placement of thehandle300 and thedebris remover180 are not limited to a central or middle portion of thebase100. An angle of thehandle300 may be adjusted so that, during exercise, thehandle sensor331 may accurate sense a position of a pet on the left andright belts110 and120.

Although the back andfront height adjusters410 and420 are shown to be provided within thebase100 between the upper andlower frames140 and150 inFIG. 1, alternatively, the back andfront height adjusters410 and420 may be provided under thelower frame150. In such a case, lengths of the back andfront height adjusters410 and420 may correspond to lengths of the back and front ends of thebase100, respectively. In addition, theback UV LED191 and backroller cover194 may be provided on an inner surface of theback frame144 of theupper frame140.

Although theFIGS. 22-24 exemplify rectangular or square shaped top andbottom heat sinks634 and632 and aPeltier device633, thePeltier device633 and the top andbottom heat sinks634 and632 alternatively may have a circular shape corresponding to a shape of thefan631. The number offans631,Peltier devices633, and top andbottom heat sinks634 and632 are not limited to two, and various shapes, sizes, and configurations may be provided to address various cooling needs. As an example, there may be a longer,rectangular Peltier device633 provided between two longer top andbottom heat sinks634 and632, while twofans631 are provided under the longer,bottom heat sink634. Although thedeodorizer620 is shown to be in a central position between two sets offans631,Peltier device633, and top andbottom heat sinks634 and632, a position of thedeodorizer620 is not limited thereto. Similarly, a position of thecontrol module640 is not limited to the central position shown.

The number ofLED modules623 is not limited to two. For example, there may only be oneLED module623. Alternatively, there may be four LEDmodules623 attached to each side of arectangular photocatalyst housing624. Although rectangular or square shapes for the LED frame623a, thephotocatalytic deodorizer622, and thecontrol module640 are exemplified, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to square or rectangular shapes.

AlthoughFIGS. 25-26 exemplify acartridge504 divided into four sections embodiments disclosed are not limited thereto. For example, thecartridge504 may be divided into thirds by three walls intersecting at 120°, into halves by two walls intersecting at 180°, into sixths by six walls intersecting at 60°, etc. A shape of thescent modules505 may be configured to fit into the sections of thecartridge504.

In addition, scents of thescent modules505 are not limited. As another example, one of thescent modules505 may have a meat fragrance, food fragrance, or other fragrance that may be pleasing to an animal to lure a pet to the treadmill1. As another example, there may be ascent module505 that emits a rain fragrance to correspond to a rain video, a smoke fragrance to correspond to a campsite or fire video, a sugary fragrance or a fragrance imitating a typical dog or cat scent to lure the pet, etc.

Although an automatic rotation of thecartridge504 by the motor of theside support503bis described, thecartridge504 may also be rotated manually via a dial method or by force. The vent or opening at the bottom of thecartridge case501 may have vanes that automatically or manually open and close thecartridge case501 to close thefragrance assembly500. Similarly, thevents146 may also be opened and closed manually via a dial method or pressing down on thevents146 to close thevents146 and pulling up on thevents146 to open thevents146.

As another alternative, thefragrance assembly500 may not have a cylindrical structure, and instead, thecartridge504 may have a lattice box structure or grid structure. The plurality ofscent modules505 may have cuboid shape and be arranged side-by-side, and theopening502amay have a corresponding square or rectangular shape. Thecartridge504 may slide laterally to expose only onescent module505 through the opening. Alternatively, a gate closing theopening502amay be configured to cover all of thescent modules505 except a selectedscent module505. Thefragrance assembly500 is not limited to thebase100, and may alternatively be provided as part of theattachment module200 to be removable. In such a configuration, theattachment module200 may have additional vents and a fan to disperse scents from thescent modules505.

With respect toFIG. 8, since a coupling between the protrusion of theattachment base240 and the recess of thestand424 may be configured to be strong enough to support an entire weight of the attachment module200 (thedisplay210, thecontainer230, and the tray220), the protrusion of theattachment base240 may alternatively be welded or bonded to the recess of thestand424.

Although thedisplay mount211 shown inFIGS. 28-30 appears to be fixed onto thestand424, alternatively, thestand424 may be slideably coupled to thefront support423 so that a height of thedisplay mount211 and thedisplay210 may be adjusted. A back side of thestand424 may include gear teeth to interact with a gear provided on a front side of thefront support423, and a motor may turn the gear so that a height of thedisplay210 may be automatically adjusted.

Combinations and/or customizations of theattachment module200 are not limited to the above-described omissions with reference toFIGS. 29B and C. When the dispensingtray220,tray container221, andcontainer230 are omitted, thedisplay210 may alternatively be coupled to thedisplay mount211 instead of directly to theattachment base240, and thedisplay mount211 may couple to theattachment base240 or alternatively directly to thestand424. A back surface of thedisplay mount211 may be adhered or bonded to theattachment base240 or thestand424.

Alternatively, theattachment base240 and/or thestand424 may have a rail guide provided at sides of the front surface of the stand, and sides (or optional rails) of thedisplay mount211 may be inserted into the rail guide. As another alternative, thestand240 may have grooves, and the back surface of thedisplay mount211 may have protrusions configured to be inserted and pressed-fit into the grooves of thestand240.

AlthoughFIG. 28A is described as having aprotrusion210ainserted into ahole211a, alternatively, theprotrusion210aand thehole211amay be formed as a ball and socket structure. Theprotrusion210amay be a sphere or partial sphere, and thehole211amay be a spherical or semi-spherical recess. Thedisplay210 may have an adjustable inclination up, down, left, right, back, and forward so that thedisplay210 may be properly aimed at a pet on the treadmill1.

AlthoughFIG. 31 describes a process where the content on thedisplay210 is sped up or slowed down according to a speed of the left andright belts110 and120, alternatively or in addition thereto, the speed of the left andright belts110 and120 may change according to content played on thedisplay210 or as part of a pre-recorded or pre-programmed exercise program. For example, if a video depicts an increase in travel speed through a road or on a beach, speeds of the left andright belts110 and120 may be increased accordingly. However, the speed-linked process exemplified inFIG. 31 allows for unanticipated changes in the speeds of the left andright belts110 and120. For example, if a speed of the left andright belts110 and120 is decreased because it is sensed via thehandle sensor331 that a pet is too far backward on the treadmill1, content on thedisplay210, even if part of a pre-recorded exercise program, may still correspond to a speed of the left andright belts110 and120 and therefore produce a more realistic simulation for the pet.

This application is related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/690,201 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/690,239 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/690,271 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/690,312 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/690,371 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/690,448 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/690,500 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/691,707 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, Ser. No. 16/691,718 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, Ser. No. 16/691,736 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, Ser. No. 16/691,743 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, Ser. No. 16/691,759 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, Ser. No. 16/691,779 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, and Ser. No. 16/691,796 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a treadmill having two belts, one for each leg, that move at different speeds to accommodate a gait of the pet. Gait of the pet may be detected by position sensors provided to sense a distance of right and left legs away from a center of the treadmill.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a treadmill that maintains a position of a pet on the treadmill so that the treadmill may be used autonomously. A sensor provided above the pet may detect a height and forward-backward position of the pet, while sensors provided in a belt divider may detect a left-right position of the pet. When the pet is too far forward or backward, speeds of the left and right belts may be adjusted to bring the pet back to the center. In addition, a forward-backward inclination of the treadmill may be adjusted to push the pet back toward the center. When the pet is too far leftward or rightward, speeds of the left and right belts may be adjusted to accommodate any gait detected, and a left-right inclination of the treadmill may be adjusted to push the pet back toward the center.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a treadmill that summons a pet to the treadmill and keeps the pet stimulated. The pet may be lured to the treadmill by a video, sound, smell, or treat, and may continue to be simulated in on the treadmill in accordance with an exercise program. The program may simulate a landscape or seascape (e.g., a flower road video, rocky road video, mountain video, coastal landscape video, or beach landscape), and the videos, sounds, and smells via a display, treat dispenser, and fragrance assembly may all work in conjunction to simulate the landscape. When speeds of the belts are adjusted based on sensed positions of the pet, a simulated movement on the display may be adjusted. In addition, a texture of the belts may simulate a texture of the landscape (e.g., an AstroTurf belt or sand-based belt). A thermoelectric cooler may cool the pet on the treadmill. A pet on the treadmill may not need to be caged in, which may reduce anxiety.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by an easily customizable treadmill. Belts of the treadmill may be replaceable with other belts having different textures. In addition, a display and treat dispenser may be easily removed or combined in various ways on the treadmill.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a treadmill that is easy to keep clean. A debris remover may be provided under the belts to scrape pet hair and other debris off the belts. A deodorizer may be provided to break apart pollutants in the air, and a sterilizer may be provided to emit UV radiation toward the belts.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a lightweight and portable treadmill for home use. A handle is provided that rotates around the treadmill to provide easy storage. During use, the handle may extend over the belts, and a height may be automatically adjusted based on a sensed height of the pet. In addition, a stand is provided to support the treadmill in an upright position during storage. An attachment module, which may include a display, speaker, and treat dispenser, may be easily removed so that the display is not damaged during storage.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a treadmill designed for dogs. DogTV or other programs geared toward dogs may be played on the display. Colors and sounds output on the display may be in the visual and audio spectrum for dogs. A fragrance assembly may be provided to store a plurality of scents and emit one of the scents to lure a pet to the treadmill or stimulate the pet during an exercise program.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill comprising a base, at least one belt moveable relative to the base, an attachment module including at least one of a display configured to display an image for a pet or a dispenser configured to dispense a consumable item, the attachment module being removable from the base, a fragrance assembly configured to emit at least one scent and provided in the base, and, a blower provided in the base and configured to disperse the scent emitted by the fragrance assembly through an opening in the base.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill comprising a base, a tread moveable relative to the base and having a first belt and a second belt, the first belt and the second belt being controlled independently for speed, a stimulation module configured to entice a pet to exercise and to operate in accordance with an exercise program, the stimulation module including at least one of a display that plays videos, a dispenser that dispenses an edible treat, or a fragrance assembly that emits at least one scent, and a cleaning module including at least one of a deodorizer that emits ions, a sterilizing light configured to sterilize the belt, or a debris remover configured to remove and collect debris from the tread.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill including a base, a first belt provided over a first pair of rollers and a second belt provided over a second pair of rollers, the first belt and the second belt being moveable relative to the base in a prescribed direction. One of the first pair of rollers may be provided toward a front of the base and the other one of the first pair of rollers may be provided toward a rear of the base. One of the second pair of rollers may be provided toward a front of the base and the other one of the second pair of rollers may be provided toward a rear of the base such that the first and second belts are adjacent to each other. A first motor may be coupled to one of the first pair of rollers and a second motor may be coupled to one of the second pair of rollers such that the first belt and the second belt are independently driven for speed. A divider may be provided between the first belt and the second belt, the divider including a left sensor and a right sensor to detect whether a pet may be centered between the first and second belts. A handle may be attached to a middle portion of the base, the handle having a top sensor to detect whether a pet may be close to the front or rear of the base, the middle portion provided between the front and the rear of the base.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill comprising a base having a front end and a rear end and a first pair of rollers and a second pair of rollers. One of the first pair of rollers may be provided toward the front end of the base and the other one of the first pair of rollers may be provided toward the rear end of the base. One of the second pair of rollers may be provided toward the front end of the base and the other one of the second pair of rollers may be provided toward the rear end of the base such that the first and second pairs of rollers are adjacent to each other. A first belt may be wrapped around the first pair of rollers. A second belt may be wrapped around the second pair of rollers. A first motor may be configured to rotate one of the first pair of rollers such that the first belt moves from the front end of the base to the rear end of the base at a first linear speed. A second motor may be configured to rotate one of the second pair of rollers such that the second belt moves from the front end of the base to the rear end of the base at a second linear speed.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill comprising a base having a front and a rear and a first pair of rollers and a second pair of rollers. One of the first pair of rollers may be provided toward the front end of the base and the other one of the first pair of rollers may be provided toward the rear end of the base. One of the second pair of rollers may be provided toward the front end of the base and the other one of the second pair of rollers may be provided toward the rear end of the base such that the first and second pairs of rollers are adjacent to each other. A first belt may be wrapped around the first pair of rollers. A second belt may be wrapped around the second pair of rollers. A first motor may be configured to rotate one of the first pair of rollers such that the first belt moves from the front end of the base to the rear end of the base at a first linear speed. A second motor may be configured to rotate one of the second pair of rollers such that the second belt moves from the front end of the base to the rear end of the base at a second linear speed. A first sensor may face toward the first belt and a second sensor may face toward the second belt to detect a position as to whether a pet may be veering away from a center of the base due to a gait, and a control module may be configured to adjust rotational speeds of the first and second motors in response to the detected position to compensate for the gait.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill comprising a base having a front and a rear and a first pair of rollers and a second pair of rollers. One of the first pair of rollers may be provided toward the front of the base and the other one of the first pair of rollers may be provided toward the rear of the base. One of the second pair of rollers may be provided toward the front of the base and the other one of the second pair of rollers may be provided toward the rear of the base such that the first and second pairs of rollers are adjacent to each other. A first belt may be wrapped around the first pair of rollers to form a first closed loop. A second belt may be wrapped around the second pair of rollers to form a second closed loop.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill comprising a base including a bottom frame having a front end with left and right corners and a rear end with left and right corners, a tread configured to move relative to the base, the tread being provided above the bottom frame, and an adjustment assembly configured to independently adjust a front left corner height of the bottom frame, a front right corner height of the bottom frame, a rear left corner height the bottom frame, and a rear right corner height of the bottom frame to assist a pet to be positioned at a predetermined location on the tread.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill comprising a base including a front end and a rear end, a tread configured to move relative to the base, a sensor provided above the tread and facing toward the tread, and an adjustment assembly configured to independently adjust at least one of a height of the front end or the rear end to assist a pet to be positioned at a predetermined location on the tread based on a position detected by the sensor.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill comprising a base including a right side and a left side, a tread configured to move relative to the base, a sensor provided toward a front of the base to sense a position of a pet relative to at least one of the right side or the left side, and an adjustment assembly configured to independently adjust at least one of a height of the left side or the right side to assist a pet to be positioned at a predetermined location on the tread based on a position detected by the sensor.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a first end and a second end, a first roller provided at the first end of the base and a second roller provided at the second end of the base, a display coupled to the base and configured to display content according to a predetermined exercise program, and a belt formed around the first roller and the second roller to form a closed loop and configured to move around the first and second rollers at a prescribed speed. The belt may have an outer surface and be configured to be removable such that content played on the display may be based on the texture of the belt and the outer surface corresponds to a texture of a ground surface displayed on the display. The texture of the belt may include at least one of a rocky surface, a grassy surface, a gravel surface, a pavement surface, or a sandy surface.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet including a base having a first end and a second end, the base having a first frame and a second frame coupled to the first frame, the first frame being configured to be separable from the lower frame, at least one first roller and at least one second roller separated from each other by a prescribed distance, at least one motor to rotate at least one of the first roller or the second roller, and a belt assembly having an inner surface configured to wrap around the first and second rollers to form a closed loop and an outer surface having a first predetermined texture. The first frame and the second frame may be separated from each other to replace the belt assembly with a replacement belt assembly having an outer surface of a second predetermined texture which may be different from the first predetermined texture.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a plurality of rollers comprising a front left roller, a front right roller, a rear left roller, and a rear right roller, and a belt assembly having an outer surface and configured to wrap around the front left and right rollers and the back left and right rollers. The belt assembly may be formed of one of a single belt and a left belt and a right belt. The outer surface may be made of at least one of an AstroTurf material, a GoreTex material filled with sand, a gravel material, or a material configured to imitate grass, sand, gravel, or pavement.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a first end and a second end, a first roller provided at the first end of the base and a second roller provided at the second end of the base, at least one belt having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being wrapped around the first roller and the second roller to form a closed loop, the belt being configured to move around the first and second rollers at a prescribed speed, and a first sterilizer provided at the first end of the base and adjacent to the belt such that the belt may be provided between the first sterilizer and the first roller. The first sterilizer may be configured to sterilize the outer surface of the belt as the belt travels at the prescribed speed. The first sterilizer may be an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED).

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having an opening, at least one belt exposed through the opening of the base and configured to travel at a prescribed speed in a closed loop, and a sterilizer configured to sterilize the belt. The sterilizer may be provided in the base to face toward the belt such that light emitted by the sterilizer may be prevented from escaping through the opening.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having an opening, a front cover provided at a front, and a rear cover provided at a rear, the opening provided between the front and rear covers, a first roller provided at the front and a second roller provided at the rear, a belt configured to wrap around the first roller and the second roller and configured to move at a prescribed speed, a section of the belt being exposed through the opening, and a sterilizing light provided between the rear cover and the second roller and configured to emit light toward the belt. The rear cover may be configured to at least partially cover the second roller to prevent light from the sterilizing light from being emitted outside of the base. A front sterilizer may be provided on the front cover to face the belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a first end, a second end, and an opening between the first and second ends, a first roller provided at the first end of the base and a second roller provided at the second end of the base, at least one belt having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being wrapped around the first roller and the second roller to form a closed loop and a section of the outer surface being exposed, the belt being configured to move around the first and second rollers at a prescribed speed, and a deodorizer provided in the base to release ions for neutralizing pollutants. The pollutants may include at least odor particles.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a first section that may be covered, a second section having an upper opening, and a plurality of vents provided between the first and second sections of the base, a belt configured to move relative to the base and exposed through the upper opening of the second section of the base, a deodorizer provided in the first section of the base and configured to release ions, and a blower provided adjacent to the deodorizer to blow the ions through the vents to break apart pollutants in the air at least above the upper opening of the base.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a plurality of vents, first and second rollers provided below the vents and spaced apart from each other by a prescribed distance, and third and fourth rollers provided below the vents and spaced apart from each other by the prescribed distance. A first belt may be wrapped around the first and second rollers to form a first closed loop. A section of the first closed loop may be exposed and be adjacent to a first side of the vents. A second belt may be wrapped around the third and fourth rollers to form a second closed loop. A section of the second closed loop may be exposed and being adjacent to a first side of the vents. A deodorizer may be provided in the base at a second side of the vents and configured to release ions. A blower may be provided adjacent to the deodorizer to blow the ions from the first side to the second side of the vents to break apart pollutants in the air at least above the sections of the first and second closed loops.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a first end, a second end, and an opening between the first and second ends, a first roller provided at the first end of the base and a second roller provided at the second end of the base, a first belt wrapped around the first roller and the second roller to form a first closed loop having a section exposed through the opening, the first belt being configured to move around the first and second rollers at a first prescribed speed, and a fragrance assembly having a plurality of scent modules, each scent module storing one scent. The fragrance assembly may be configured to release a scent from one of the plurality of scent modules toward the exposed section of the belt to entice a pet to exercise. A scent module may be configured to release one of a floral fragrance, a phontycide fragrance, or a beach fragrance.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a first end, a second end, and an opening between the first and second ends, a first roller provided at the first end of the base, and a second roller provided at the second end of the base. A first belt may have an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface may be wrapped around the first roller and the second roller to form a first closed loop. A section of the outer surface may be exposed. The first belt may be configured to move around the first and second rollers at a first prescribed speed. A display may be coupled to the first end of the base and may be configured to output at least one of an image, video, or sound. A fragrance assembly may be configured to release a scent based on content output on the display.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a fragrance assembly comprising a case configured to expose an opening in the case and a cartridge having a cylindrical shape and provided in the case. The cartridge may be divided into multiple sections by recesses provided in an outer circumferential surface. The cartridge may be rotatable within the case to align a section of the cartridge with the opening. A plurality of scent modules may be provided in the sections of the cartridge to be exposed through the opening. Each scent module may include a fragrant material. At least one of the cartridge or a scent module may be configured to be removed and replaced with a replacement cartridge or a replacement scent module, respectively.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base, a first roller and a second roller spaced apart from each other and supported in the base, a first belt wrapped around the first roller and the second roller to form a first closed loop, the first belt being configured to move around the first and second rollers at a first prescribed speed, an attachment support removably coupled to the base, and a dispenser removably coupled to the attachment support and configured to dispense an edible item based on location data of a pet, location data of an owner, and stored exercise data on prior exercise sessions of the pet.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a front surface. A first roller and a second roller may be spaced apart from each other in a first direction and provided behind the front surface of the base. A first belt may be wrapped around the first roller and the second roller and may be configured to move around the first and second rollers at a first prescribed speed in a first closed loop. A customizable module may be removably coupled to the base. The customizable module may be customized to include at least one of a display or a treat dispenser. In an exercise configuration, the customizable module may be fitted onto the front surface of the base. In a storage configuration, the customizable module may be removed, and the first belt may extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the storage mode such that the front surface of the base may be facing a ground surface.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base, a first roller and a second roller spaced apart from each other and supported in the base, a first belt forming a first closed loop around the first roller and the second roller, a handle rotatably coupled to a middle portion of the base, the handle being configured to rotate to a first position to cross over the first belt and to a second position adjacent to a side of the base, and a sensor provided in the handle to detect a pet on the first belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a portable treadmill comprising a base, a first roller and a second roller spaced apart from each other and supported in the base, a first belt forming a first loop around the first roller and the second roller, and a handle rotatably coupled to a middle portion of the base. The handle may be configured to rotate to a first position to cross over the belt and to a second position adjacent to a side of the base. Either in the first or second position, the base may be lifted using the handle for portability from a first location to a second location.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a front, a rear, a left, and a right, a first roller provided at the front of the base and a second roller provided at rear of the base, and a first belt wrapped around the first roller and the second roller to form a first closed loop. The first belt may be configured to move around the first and second rollers at a first prescribed speed. A first motor may be configured to drive the first roller. An adjustment assembly may be configured to adjust an inclination of the base relative to a floor surface in a front-rear direction and in a left-right direction. At least one sensor may sense a front-rear position of a pet between the front and rear of the base and a left-right position of the pet between the left and right of the base. At least one of the front-rear inclination of the base, left-right inclination of the base, or a speed of the first belt is adjusted based on the positions sensed by the sensor.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a front, a rear, a left, and a right, a first roller provided at the front of the base and a second roller provided at rear of the base, and a first belt wrapped around the first roller and the second roller to form a first closed loop. The first belt may be configured to move around the first and second rollers at a first prescribed speed. A first motor may be configured to drive the first roller. An adjustment assembly may be configured to adjust of an inclination of the base relative to a floor surface in a left-right direction. At least one sensor may sense a left-right position of the pet between the left and right of the base. At least one of the left-right inclination of the base or the first prescribed speed of the belt may be adjusted based on the positions sensed by the sensor.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a front, a rear, a left, and a right, a left belt provided at the left of the base and moving at a first prescribed speed in a first closed loop according to an exercise program, a right belt provided at right left of the base and moving at a second prescribed speed in a second closed loop according to the exercise program, an adjustment assembly configured to adjust an inclination of the base to raise a front left height, a front right height, a rear left height, and a rear right height according to the exercise program, and at least one lateral sensor to sense a left-right position of the pet between the left and right of the base. When a pet is sensed to be too far to the left, the exercise program may be changed such that at least one of the first prescribed speed of the left belt is reduced, the second prescribed speed of the right belt is increased, a front left height is increased, a front right height is decreased, a rear left height is increased, or rear right height is decreased. When a pet is sensed to be too far to the right, the exercise program may be changed such that at least one of the first prescribed speed of the left belt is increased, the second prescribed speed of the right belt is decreased, the front left height is decreased, the front right height is increased, the rear left height is decreased, or the rear right height is increased.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method for controlling a pet treadmill having a front, a rear, and a belt moving from the front to the rear. The method may comprise sensing a position of the pet and determining, based on the sensed position, whether the pet is within a first predetermined distance range from the rear. The method may comprise, when the pet is within the first predetermined distance range, decreasing a speed of the belt. The method may comprise, when the pet is not within the first predetermined distance range from the rear, determining whether the pet is within a second predetermined distance range from the front. The method may comprise, when the pet is within the second predetermined distance range, increasing the speed of the belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method for controlling a pet treadmill having a front, a rear, a first side, a second side, and a belt moving from the front to the rear. The method may comprise sensing a position of the pet, and determining, based on the sensed position, whether the pet is within a first predetermined distance range from the first side. The method may comprise, when the pet is within the first predetermined distance range, performing at least one of raising a height of the first side of the front, raising a height of the first side of the rear, lowering a height of the second side of the front, or lowering a height of the second side of the rear. The method may comprise, when the pet is not within the predetermined distance range from the rear, determining whether the pet is within a second predetermined distance range from the second side. The method may comprise, when the pet is within the second predetermined distance range, performing at least one of lowering a height of the first side of the front, lowering a height of the first side of the rear, raising a height of the second side of the front, or raising a height of the second side of the rear.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method for controlling a pet treadmill comprising obtaining a location of a pet relative to the pet treadmill, obtaining a location of an owner relative to the pet treadmill, storing information about when the pet uses the pet treadmill, determining whether the pet is within a first predetermined distance from the pet treadmill, when it is determined that the pet is not within the first predetermined distance, implementing one of a sleep mode, storage mode, or off mode, when it is determined that the pet is within the first predetermined distance, determining whether the owner is outside of a second predetermined distance from the pet treadmill, when it is determined that the owner is not outside of the second predetermined distance, implementing a manual mode, and when it is determined that the owner is outside of the second predetermined distance, implementing an away mode.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a first end and a second end, a first roller provided at the first end of the base and a second roller provided at the second end of the base, a first belt wrapped around the first roller and the second roller to form a first closed loop, the first belt being configured to move around the first and second rollers at a first prescribed speed, at least one thermoelectric assembly configured to heat or cool air, and a blower configured to disperse the air heated or cooled by the thermoelectric assembly toward the first belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a first section that may be covered, a second section having an upper opening, and a plurality of vents provided between the first and second sections of the base, at least one belt configured to move relative to the base and exposed through the upper opening of the second section of the base, and at least one thermoelectric assembly configured to heat or cool air. The thermoelectric assembly may be provided in the first section of the base behind the plurality of vents. A blower may be provided in the first section of the base and may be configured to blow air heated or cooled by the thermoelectric assembly through the plurality of vents.

Embodiments disclosed herein may include a treadmill for a pet comprising a base having a top and a bottom, a first roller and a second roller spaced apart from each other and supported in the base, and a first belt forming a first closed loop around the first roller and the second roller. The first belt may be configured to move around the first roller and the second roller at a first prescribed speed. A section of the first belt may be exposed through the top of the base. A storage container may be provided at the bottom of the base and be configured to collect debris removed from the first belt as the first belt moves at the first prescribed speed.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base, a first roller and a second roller spaced apart from each other and supported in the base, a first belt forming a first closed loop around the first roller and the second roller, the first belt being configured to move around the first roller and the second roller at a first prescribed speed, and at least one first surface contacting the first belt to induce a static cling on the first belt as the first belt moves at the first prescribed speed. The first surface may be formed by at least one of a brush, a felt, a scraper, a sweeper, or a bristle that contacts an outer surface of the first belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base, a tread moving relative to the base, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly may comprise at least one ultraviolet light configured to emit ultraviolet radiation toward the tread, a deodorizer having a photocatalytic deodorizer configured to release ions to break apart pollutants including at least one odor in air above at least the tread when light may be shined on the photocatalytic deodorizer, and a debris remover having a first surface contacting the tread to induce a static charge on the tread and a container configured to store debris. Debris clinging to the tread may be scraped off the tread by the first surface and deposited into the container as the tread moves at a first prescribed speed.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base including an upper frame and a lower frame, and a first roller and a second roller spaced apart from each other by a prescribed distance and supported in the base. The first and second rollers may be coupled to the upper frame. A first belt may form a first closed loop around the first roller and the second roller. The first belt may be configured to be removed from the first roller and the second roller. A belt tension adjuster may be configured to change the prescribed distance to adjust a tension of the first belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a pet comprising a base, a tread moveable relative to the base, and a frame removable from the base and having at least one front roller provided at a front and at least one rear roller provided at a rear. The tread may be configured to wrap around the front roller and the rear roller. The frame may have an adjustable length.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a pet treadmill comprising a base, at least one front roller and at least one rear roller spaced apart from the front roller by a prescribed distance, a plurality of rollers provided between the front roller and the rear roller, a tread configured to wrap around the front roller, rear roller, and plurality of rollers to form a closed loop, and at least one motor configured to drive at least one of the front roller or the rear roller. The prescribed distance may be adjusted to adjust a tension of the tread.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method for controlling a treadmill for a pet having a belt. The method may comprise storing information about when a predetermined exercise program has been performed, the predetermined exercise program including predetermined conditions including a predetermined speed of the belt, and determining whether the treadmill is in a manual mode or an automatic mode. Then the treadmill is in a manual mode, the method may comprise performing the predetermined exercise program when an owner inputs a start command. When the treadmill in an automatic mode, the method may comprise determining whether a predetermined rest time has elapsed since the predetermined exercise program has been performed. When the predetermined rest time has elapsed, the method may comprise sensing whether a pet is present on the belt. When the pet is present on the belt, the method may comprise performing the predetermined exercise program. Performing the predetermined exercise program may include operating the belt to move at the predetermined speed.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A treadmill for a pet, comprising:

a base;

a first roller and a second roller spaced apart from each other and supported in the base;

a first belt wrapped around the first roller and the second roller to form a first closed loop, the first belt being configured to move around the first and second rollers at a first prescribed speed;

an attachment support removably coupled to the base; and

a dispenser removably coupled to the attachment support and configured to dispense an edible item based on location data of a pet, location data of an owner, and stored exercise data on prior exercise sessions of the pet.

2. The treadmill ofclaim 1, wherein the dispenser includes a container to store an edible item and a tray provided below the container, the container being configured to open and close to dispense the edible item stored in the container onto the tray, and the tray having curved sides configured to prevent a dispensed edible item from falling off the tray.

3. The treadmill ofclaim 1, further comprising a display and a display mount configured to be removably coupled to the display, wherein a first end of the attachment support is configured to be removably coupled to the display and the display mount, and a second end of the attachment support is configured to be removably coupled to the base.

4. The treadmill ofclaim 3, wherein the display is coupled to the display mount so as to have an adjustable inclination that is automatically adjusted based on at least one of a position or a height of the pet on the first belt.

5. The treadmill ofclaim 1, wherein the base includes a stand, the attachment support being removably coupled to the stand.

6. The treadmill ofclaim 5, further comprising a height adjuster configured to adjust a height of the base relative to a ground surface, wherein the stand and the height adjuster are coupled to each other.

7. The treadmill ofclaim 1, further comprising a control module having a communication module configured to obtain the location data of the owner and the pet, wherein the location data is GPS data.

8. The treadmill ofclaim 1, wherein the dispenser is configured to dispense an edible item when the pet is within a first distance range of the treadmill and the owner is outside of a second distance range of the treadmill.

9. The treadmill ofclaim 8, wherein the dispenser is configured to dispense an edible item when a predetermined time period has elapsed after the pet has previously used the treadmill.

10. The treadmill ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one sensor to detect a position of the pet on the first belt, wherein a first motor drives the first roller to move the first belt at the first prescribed speed when the sensor detects that the pet is on the first belt.

11. The treadmill ofclaim 1, wherein, when the dispenser dispenses an edible item, the first prescribed speed of the first belt is reduced.

12. The treadmill ofclaim 1, further comprising a fragrance assembly configured to release at least one scent based on location data of a pet, location data of an owner, and stored exercise data on prior exercise sessions of the pet.

13. The treadmill ofclaim 1, further comprising a third roller and a fourth roller spaced apart from each other and supported in the base, and a second belt wrapped around the third and fourth rollers to form a second closed loop, the second belt being configured to move around the third and fourth rollers at a second prescribed speed.

14. A treadmill for a pet, comprising:

a base having a front surface;

a first roller and a second roller spaced apart from each other in a first direction and provided behind the front surface of the base;

a first belt wrapped around the first roller and the second roller and configured to move around the first and second rollers at a first prescribed speed in a first closed loop; and

a customizable module removably coupled to the base, the customizable module being customized to include at least one of a display or a treat dispenser, wherein, in an exercise configuration, the customizable module is fitted onto the front surface of the base, and in a storage configuration, the customizable module is removed and the first belt extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the storage mode such that the front surface of the base is facing a ground surface.

15. The treadmill ofclaim 14, wherein the customizable module includes an attachment support configured to fit onto the front surface of the base; and

in a first customization of the customizable module, the customizable module includes the display removably coupled to the attachment support,

in a second customization of the customizable module, the customizable module includes a display mount removably coupled to the attachment support and the display removably coupled to the display mount,

in a third customization of the customizable module, the customizable module includes the treat dispenser removably coupled to the attachment support, and

in a fourth customization of the customizable module, the customizable module includes the treat dispenser, the display mount removably coupled to the dispenser, and the display removably coupled to the display mount.

16. The treadmill ofclaim 14, wherein, after a pet is positioned on the first belt, the treat dispenser dispenses an edible item after a pet has exercised for a predetermined time period or a predetermined amount.

17. The treadmill ofclaim 14, further comprising a fragrance assembly configured to release a scent when a predetermined time period has elapsed after the treadmill was previously used, when a pet is within a predetermined distance of the treadmill, and based on content played on the display.

18. The treadmill ofclaim 14, further comprising a handle rotatably coupled to a middle portion of the base, the handle being configured to rotate to a first position to cross over the belt in the exercise configuration and to a second position adjacent to a side of the base in the storage configuration.

19. The treadmill ofclaim 14, further comprising a third roller and a fourth roller spaced apart from each other in a first direction and provided behind the front surface of the base, a second belt wrapped around the third and fourth rollers and configured to move around the third and fourth rollers in a second closed loop at a second prescribed speed.

20. The treadmill ofclaim 19, wherein the first and second prescribed speeds are determined based on a predetermined exercise program, the first and second prescribed speeds are changed based on a position of the pet on the first and second belts, and the first and second prescribed speeds are reduced when the treat dispenser dispenses an edible item.

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